Walmart Self Checkout – Current Challenges

By | March 22, 2025

Walmart Self-Checkout March 2025 Update

From Kioskindustry — Walmart Self Checkout March News — customers are unhappy with removals, skimmers are now in the mix, and there is mispricing. Silver bullets “coming soon” include AI, Smart Carts and 2D barcodes.
Walmart Self Checkout

For us the most telling news is customer dissatisfaction with self-checkout NOT being available. Scammers are brazenly attaching skimmers. Here are some recent updates regarding Walmart’s systems:

  1. **Reduction of Self-Checkout Stands**: Walmart has been decreasing the number of self-checkout stands in certain U.S. locations, including stores in Missouri and Ohio. This change is part of a broader strategy to enhance the shopping experience by prioritizing staffed checkout lanes. The decision is informed by customer feedback, shopping behaviors, and business needs.
  2. **Customer Dissatisfaction**: Reports indicate that customers are frustrated due to unexpected closures of self-checkout machines, which have resulted in long lines at traditional registers. Walmart has acknowledged these concerns and is actively working to resolve them.
  3. **Challenges with Self-Checkout Systems**: Walmart faces ongoing challenges related to self-checkout, including theft and technical glitches. Despite efforts to address these issues through technology like artificial intelligence, problems still arise.
  4. **Mispricing Issue**: In March 2024, Walmart experienced a mispricing issue that affected 1,600 stores, leading to items being sold at incorrect prices due to a system failure. The company has taken steps to reimburse affected customers.
  5. **Security Concerns**: There have been incidents involving skimming devices being placed on self-checkout registers, highlighting the security risks associated with these systems.
  6. Overall, Walmart is reevaluating its use of self-checkout technology to strike a balance between efficiency, customer satisfaction, and security concerns.

What To Expect from Walmart in near future?

Walmart is implementing several new technologies to enhance the shopping experience and potentially replace or complement traditional self-checkout systems:

  1. AI-Powered Self-Checkout Kiosks: Walmart is testing more advanced AI-powered self-checkout kiosks that use computer vision and machine learning. These systems can identify products without barcodes, detect potential theft or scanning errors, and provide a more intuitive interface1.

  2. Smart Carts: Analysts predict that Walmart might invest in smart carts similar to those used by Instacart and Amazon. These carts use AI and sensors to streamline the shopping process, potentially reducing the need for traditional checkout lanes23.

  3. Mobile Self-Checkout Expansion: Walmart has expanded its mobile self-checkout options, allowing customers to complete their entire shopping journey using their smartphones. This technology reduces the reliance on physical checkout lanes1.

  4. Voice-Assisted Self-Checkout: Walmart is piloting voice-assisted self-checkout kiosks in select stores, using natural language processing to guide customers through the checkout process1.

  5. 2D Barcodes: Walmart is exploring the use of 2D barcodes, which can provide detailed product information and enhance checkout efficiency. This technology could be integrated into future checkout systems2.

  6. Hybrid Models: Walmart is testing hybrid checkout systems where employees assist customers at self-checkout machines, ensuring a smoother and more secure experience4.

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