The heartbreaking reason why this grocery is finally ditching self-serve checkouts!
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In a move that harks back to the days of personal service and face-to-face interactions, one Aussie grocery store has decided to say goodbye to self-serve checkouts, sparking a conversation about the future of our shopping experiences.
IGA Greenslopes, an independently owned and operated store, has decided to remove these modern conveniences in favour of manned checkouts, and the reason is quite disheartening.
The supermarket's decision comes in response to a significant increase in shoplifting incidents, a challenge exacerbated by the cost of living crisis gripping the nation.
According to a sign posted in the store, removing self-serve checkouts is a direct measure to combat theft, which has been on the rise.
This controversial change, part of a concerning trend in retail, has been met with mixed reactions.
Retail giants Coles and Woolworths have been ramping up security measures at their self-serve checkouts, employing artificial intelligence, security cameras, and even automatic gates to deter theft.
In an interview, Gary Mortimer, a retail expert from Queensland University of Technology, highlighted that shoplifting is not just a problem for the big players in the market.
Smaller retailers like independently managed IGAs are particularly vulnerable, lacking the extensive security infrastructure of larger chains, making them easier targets for shoplifters.
He said, ‘I think we’re going to see more of this take place where self-service is one of those areas where we do see a significant lift in shop stealing.’
‘Either you do it well and do it the expensive way with the full tech, or you do it with simpler stuff, but you risk being exposed to theft.’
Mortimer estimates that shoplifting costs Australian retailers around $9 billion each year, a staggering figure that impacts businesses and honest consumers alike.
The cost of living crisis has been cited as a critical factor in the rise of shoplifting, with a recent survey revealing that approximately 1 in 8 Australians have stolen something in the past year.
Finder's research suggests that as many as 2.4 million Australians have engaged in this petty crime, some resorting to scanning expensive items as cheaper at self-serve checkouts.
Inflation rates and food prices have soared, with Australians spending up to $193 weekly on groceries.
These financial pressures have pushed Australian households to what Finder money expert Sarah Megginson describes as a ‘breaking point’.
The financial strain is not only affecting those traditionally seen as vulnerable but is also reaching middle-class Australians who have never before needed to seek support services.
She said, ‘The research really shows just how much people are struggling and turning to things that they probably never could have imagined in the past.’
‘It really speaks to the fact that people are struggling, and the financial counselling hotlines and support services are seeing a totally new demographic come through, people who would have been classed as middle-class Australians who have never needed the services before have just been completely caught out by the last 12 months,’ she added.
Source: YouTube / 7NEWS Australia
The increase in theft is not solely attributed to financial desperation; there is also an element of opportunism amplified by frustration with the self-service model.
Mortimer notes that some customers feel a sense of entitlement when forced to ring up their groceries, which can lead to theft.
He said, ‘I often hear that mindset around, “If I have to ring up my own groceries then I am entitled to take something.”’
‘Often there is this mindset around why we steal. It’s not just criminality; it’s often frustration, or it’s an accident or this form of entitlement.’
This frustration is not solely based on a desire for human interaction. Among other concerns, many shoppers have discovered discrepancies in self-serve registers.
As we witness these changes, it's clear that the supermarket experience as we know it may be on the cusp of yet another transformation.
The question remains: will other supermarkets follow suit, and how will this impact our shopping habits?
Do you prefer the personal service of manned checkouts, or do you miss the convenience of self-service? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.
IGA Greenslopes, an independently owned and operated store, has decided to remove these modern conveniences in favour of manned checkouts, and the reason is quite disheartening.
The supermarket's decision comes in response to a significant increase in shoplifting incidents, a challenge exacerbated by the cost of living crisis gripping the nation.
According to a sign posted in the store, removing self-serve checkouts is a direct measure to combat theft, which has been on the rise.
This controversial change, part of a concerning trend in retail, has been met with mixed reactions.
The use of self-checkout lanes globally has resulted in a significant increase in revenue loss, amounting to nearly 4 per cent of total sales. Image Source / Pexels / Wallace Chuck
Retail giants Coles and Woolworths have been ramping up security measures at their self-serve checkouts, employing artificial intelligence, security cameras, and even automatic gates to deter theft.
In an interview, Gary Mortimer, a retail expert from Queensland University of Technology, highlighted that shoplifting is not just a problem for the big players in the market.
Smaller retailers like independently managed IGAs are particularly vulnerable, lacking the extensive security infrastructure of larger chains, making them easier targets for shoplifters.
He said, ‘I think we’re going to see more of this take place where self-service is one of those areas where we do see a significant lift in shop stealing.’
‘Either you do it well and do it the expensive way with the full tech, or you do it with simpler stuff, but you risk being exposed to theft.’
Mortimer estimates that shoplifting costs Australian retailers around $9 billion each year, a staggering figure that impacts businesses and honest consumers alike.
The cost of living crisis has been cited as a critical factor in the rise of shoplifting, with a recent survey revealing that approximately 1 in 8 Australians have stolen something in the past year.
Finder's research suggests that as many as 2.4 million Australians have engaged in this petty crime, some resorting to scanning expensive items as cheaper at self-serve checkouts.
Inflation rates and food prices have soared, with Australians spending up to $193 weekly on groceries.
These financial pressures have pushed Australian households to what Finder money expert Sarah Megginson describes as a ‘breaking point’.
The financial strain is not only affecting those traditionally seen as vulnerable but is also reaching middle-class Australians who have never before needed to seek support services.
She said, ‘The research really shows just how much people are struggling and turning to things that they probably never could have imagined in the past.’
‘It really speaks to the fact that people are struggling, and the financial counselling hotlines and support services are seeing a totally new demographic come through, people who would have been classed as middle-class Australians who have never needed the services before have just been completely caught out by the last 12 months,’ she added.
Source: YouTube / 7NEWS Australia
The increase in theft is not solely attributed to financial desperation; there is also an element of opportunism amplified by frustration with the self-service model.
Mortimer notes that some customers feel a sense of entitlement when forced to ring up their groceries, which can lead to theft.
He said, ‘I often hear that mindset around, “If I have to ring up my own groceries then I am entitled to take something.”’
‘Often there is this mindset around why we steal. It’s not just criminality; it’s often frustration, or it’s an accident or this form of entitlement.’
This frustration is not solely based on a desire for human interaction. Among other concerns, many shoppers have discovered discrepancies in self-serve registers.
The question remains: will other supermarkets follow suit, and how will this impact our shopping habits?
Do you prefer the personal service of manned checkouts, or do you miss the convenience of self-service? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.
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