Costco Wholesale has introduced new checkout restrictions at its stores across the United States. The changes come as part of a broader effort to reduce theft, particularly at self-checkout lanes. The company will limit the number of items customers can scan without assistance and increase staffing requirements to monitor these areas.
The updated policy restricts customers to scanning a maximum of 20 items at self-checkout stations. When purchases exceed this number, shoppers must use traditional cashier lanes. Additionally, the retailer plans to assign more employees to oversee self-checkout areas to deter theft and assist customers.
These measures respond to a rise in losses attributed to shoplifting and scanning errors, which have impacted many large retailers. Industry experts note that self-checkout systems, while convenient, have become a vulnerability exploited by some individuals. Costco's approach aligns with similar initiatives at other chains aiming to balance customer convenience with loss prevention.
The changes will roll out gradually at Costco locations nationwide. The company has not indicated plans to reduce the number of self-checkout stations but emphasizes the importance of maintaining security without compromising the shopping experience. Observers will be watching to see how customers respond to the new limits and whether the measures effectively reduce theft.