Target shopper promises boycott after ‘checkout issue over bag of chips’ as chain admits ‘they let customer down’
AN enraged Target shopper has blasted the popular retailer after encountering a problem at the checkouts.
The customer was bewildered as all they were trying to buy was a bag of chips.
Joann Richards claimed the store in Billings, Montana, just had one lane open, and no self-checkout kiosks were available, per a post on X.
She claimed that there were seven customers standing in line.
“I will never shop here again,” she said.
A Target spokesperson issued an apology to the shopper.
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“We let you down when visiting the Billings Target,” they said.
“We’re sharing your feedback with store leadership as we continue efforts to ensure all guests have a fast and easy Target Run.”
Target has attracted widespread criticism over its checkout policy.
The company made headlines when bosses trialed measures that meant shoppers could only scan a maximum of 10 items at the self-checkouts.
A Target spokesperson explained to The U.S. Sun last year the policy was designed to cut waiting times and better understand guest preferences.
Self-checkouts have been linked to store theft, but officials told Good Morning America the policy wasn’t designed to combat shoplifting.
Walmart shopper leaves basket and walks out after self-checkout insult when worker took over and ‘began scanning’
But they acknowledged at the time that theft reduced at
This policy has been rolled out more widely after chiefs deemed the test phase a success.
The limit was initially piloted at around 200 stores in the fall of 2023, but is now in place at almost 2,000 outlets nationwide.
Despite bosses’ intentions to make checkouts more efficient, it has not been welcomed.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed up checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at various locations were made available only for Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed during specific hours, and more cashiers were offered instead.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting fueled the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would stop the fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, that test run has been phased out.
At Target, items are being limited at self-checkout.
Last fall, the brand surveyed new express self-checkout lanes across 200 stores with 10 items or less for more convenience.
As of March 2024, this policy has been expanded across 2,000 stores in the US.
Shoppers have also spotted their local Walmart stores restricting customers to 15 items or less to use self-checkout machines.
In fact, some shoppers have claimed the item limit has worsened their in-store experience.
Furious customers have said they have to find a different place to shop in light of the limit being introduced.
Shoppers were less than impressed as lines snaked to the back of outlets nationwide.
Some shoppers said they couldn’t take any more, announcing a store boycott in retaliation.
Item limits have also started to creep in at other retailers.
Schnucks bosses introduced an item limit earlier this year, and chiefs warned it was designed to combat shoplifting.
The limit was initially set at 10 items, but it has since been loosened.
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Now, shoppers can use the self-checkouts if they have up to 15 items in their carts or baskets.
Some Walmart shoppers have noted how they’ve encountered item limits at supermarkets.
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