Rant: I thought the self-checkout thing was just a fad, but my grocery store just laid off two cashiers

I remember when they first put those self-checkout kiosks in at my local Food Mart about five years ago. I thought it was just a gimmick, something for people in a hurry. I'd always go to a real person because I liked the chat and figured it kept someone employed. Well, I went in yesterday and saw a sign on the empty register lanes that said 'staffing adjustments.' I asked Brenda, the manager I've known for ages, and she told me flat out they let go of two part-time cashiers because the 'system metrics' showed they weren't needed with the machines. It wasn't about speed for customers anymore; it was a straight-up cost cut. That made it real for me. It's not just factory robots anymore, it's the quiet replacement of the person you see every week. What's a place like that supposed to do when there are fewer of those 'first job' spots for kids? Has your town seen this happen quietly too?

4 comments

4 Comments

charlesn4221d ago

Is it really that big of a deal though? Stores have always changed how they do things to save money. Those cashier jobs were probably super part time with bad hours anyway. Maybe those people can find something better. The self checkouts are faster for most folks buying a few things. It just feels like progress to me, even if it's a bit sad to see a familiar face go.

drew_hart421d ago

Exactly, it's just more efficient for everyone.

the_hayden14h ago

Read an article about stores adding help buttons for that exact reason.

price.ben21d ago

You said it's just progress, but I worry about who helps the older folks who really struggle with the machines (my grandma gets so flustered by them).