Target shopper ‘told to change lanes’ after being stopped with full cart – and ‘blocked’ from using checkout option
A TARGET shopper has vowed to boycott the chain after claiming she was blocked from checking out her groceries.
The customer, who went to a store in New Britain,Connecticut, even claimed the brand had lost a customer following the less-than-ideal experience.
Shelly Sindlan said she had been waiting in line for 15 minutes before a worker approached her, according to a post onX.
She claimed that she was told she couldn t scan her items as it was an express lane.
Sindlan had to wait in another line, but there was only one lane open.
You just lost a good customer, she said.
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Sindlan vowed to spend hermoneyelsewhere, rounding off her post with: Bye, byeTarget.
So-called express laneshave been rolled out at almost 2,000 Target stores recently.
The lanes were introduced after a trial period at around 200 stores in the fall of 2023.
Policies that limited self-checkout users to a maximum of 10 items were introduced, but bosses confirmed there would be extra traditional self-checkout lanes.
Bosses stressed that the policy was rolled out to ensure self-checkouts remained efficient, but it hasn t been welcomed by all.
Sindlan is not the only shopper who has voiced frustration with the express lane system.
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The U.S. Sun reported how anothercustomer had abandoned his cartat the self-checkout station after encountering the measure in place.
However, Target appeared to double down as a company spokesperson reiterated why the policy was introduced.
We’re prioritizing full-service check lanes to support our guests during the entire day and intend to open Express Self-Checkout to support busier times, they said.
Others have claimed the policy has had animpact on the so-called Target effect.
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 forWalmart+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.
The Target effect refers to shoppers who only intend to buy a handful of items, but walk out with a cart full.
Frustrated shoppers have become so fed up that they ve decided to shop elsewhere.
Customers have saidthey ve turned to Amazonbecause of the self-checkout changes.
Self-checkout changes have not just hit Target stores across the nation.
The U.S. Sun reported howitem limits were also introduced at Schnucks stores.
However, grocery shoppers will now notice asubtle change in the chain s 100-plusstores.
Shoppers were limited to a maximum of 10 items, but the number has been relaxed to 15.
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Just like Target, Schnucks came under fire from shoppers who branded the 10-item limit ridiculous.
Some customers who had boycotted the machines said they felt as if they could use them again.
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