Self-checkout options are becoming increasingly common in the U.S. with 96% of grocery stores and 77% of non-grocery retail stores offering this convenience. While some consumers have mixed feelings about self-checkout, the use of self-checkout kiosks continues to rise across various industries.
The North American self-checkout systems market is valued at $2.68 billion as of 2024, showing a 65% increase since 2021. Retailers are investing more in self-checkout technology to reduce labor costs, especially as minimum wage rates vary across states. However, the shift away from staffed registers has led to an increase in theft at self-checkout kiosks.
Despite the drawbacks, many American consumers prefer self-checkout for its speed and convenience. Surveys show that a majority of shoppers use self-checkout kiosks for at least half of their shopping and plan to increase their usage in the future. Age plays a role in preference, with younger generations showing a higher preference for self-checkout compared to older generations.
Overall, self-checkout aisles are here to stay as retailers aim to make the process more user-friendly. While it may not be a perfect system, the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of self-checkout have led to its widespread adoption in various industries.