Long Beach regulates self-checkout amid growing shopper frustration

Frustrated by rampant thefts that frighten citizens and shoppers, Long Beach is pushing stores to add staff and reduce reliance on self-checkout.

The seaside city of nearly half a million people began requiring major food and pharmacy retailers to do more to stop theft last month. The measures taken so far have led to heated debate and longer lines.

Employees like the new law. Retail chains warn restrictions could backfire. Shoppers are confused.

The city’s “Safe Stores are Staffed Stores” ordinance is the first of its kind in the country. It requires department stores to increase the number of employees at self-checkout stands and also places a limit on the number of items and types of merchandise that can be pressed at self-checkout.

It’s the latest flashpoint in the national debate about how to deal with what some see as an epidemic of theft. This problem affects the quality of life of consumers who are tired of witnessing theft or dealing with measures to stop theft, such as locking shelves.

Matt Bell, secretary and treasurer of UFCW 324, the union that represents grocery store workers, said the Long Beach ordinance will protect employees and shoppers from dangerous situations.

“Checkers and cashiers are on the front lines of this,” he said. “It’s really necessary to provide them with safety and security and better staffing.”

The city said it enacted the ordinance to “improve public safety and prevent retail theft,” citing “hostile and unsafe” conditions. According to the regulation, theft is common and underreported during direct debit.

Shoplifting is a growing problem across the country, forcing stores to increase security and often lock up stolen items.

The National Retail Federation predicts: theft incidents In the US, it increased 93% from 2019 to 2023. Retailers surveyed by the Federation reported an average of 177 retail thefts per day in 2023.

Long Beach regulations require at least one staff member for every three self-checkout stations a large store uses. Sets a limit of 15 items per customer for automatic payment. Meanwhile, according to the regulation, any product locked in a safe in the store can no longer be purchased via direct debit.

Since the regulation would force outlets to either hire more people or reduce the number of self-checkout kiosks, the California Grocers Assn. He warned that consumers could face longer lines and higher grocery prices.

In response to the requirements, some Albertsons and Vons in Long Beach have closed their self-checkout lanes.

“Due to the new City of Long Beach ordinance, we are unable to operate our self-checkout lanes at this time,” read a sign addressed to customers at a Vons in downtown Long Beach.

At a Target in Long Beach, five self-checkout stations were open and staffed by a single employee. According to the regulations, if the store wants to open more stations, it will need to add another employee to supervise the self-checkout process.

Shopper Francilla Isaac, who lives in the area, said she has seen closed self-checkout lanes and longer lines around the city.

“I use it a lot when I come here just to pick up a few items,” Isaac said of self-checkout. “But now all the stores are the same, they closed.”

Groups representing grocers and retailers such as Target and Walmart said the regulation would increase labor costs for employers and lead to higher price tags on the shelf. Sales will also decrease in stores where automatic payment is turned off.

“These efforts will ultimately undermine the self-checkout system,” said Nate Rose, vice president of the California Grocers Assn. “We’re seeing the worst-case scenario happen when some grocers decide it’s not worth it to keep their self-checkout lanes open.”

California Retailers Assn. He said retailers need the freedom to decide for themselves what is the most effective way to deal with theft.

“The problem with the Long Beach ordinance is that it is very restrictive,” said Rachel Michelin, president of the association. “I think we will see unintended consequences.”

Bell, the union leader, said grocery companies opposed the regulation because they did not want to hire more staff or increase the working hours of existing staff. Stores may want to avoid hiring more people because of steady increases in the minimum wage, but they may find that being forced to hire more people actually increases sales and productivity.

“This has to be better for customers,” he said. “And it should actually increase the profitability of companies.”

Lisa Adams comes to Long Beach from Utah every month with her husband to sail their boat. They miss easy access to the self-checkout feature and hope it comes back soon, but they understand the need to reduce theft in the city.

He witnessed the theft problem firsthand.

“It was chaotic and noisy,” he said. “This guy was pretending to steal your stuff and then booked the door.”