SUPERMARKET giant Tesco is looking to remove the number of staffed checkouts available in some of its stores.
The retailer is removing the main banks of tills from a number of its branches and instead have more customers use self-service checkouts.
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While the supermarket chain is keeping some managed checkouts open, it said trials of new self-checkouts designed for trolleys had proven successful.
Tesco said a “lack of customer demand” for traditional checkouts meant it was increasing its self-service options.
But experts have said the move will mean Tesco can rearrange its shop floors and save on staff costs.
IGD insights analyst Bryan Roberts said the closure of manned tills would allow Tesco to make space for other products like confectionery, and could mean more room for seasonal sales for Halloween, Christmas, Easter and other events throughout the year.
It is not yet clear at this time which stores will be affected.
Grocery Insight chief executive Steve Dresser told The Grocer there was a trend of retailers putting in more self-service checkouts and having fewer front-of-store staff.
New self-service checkout designs are big enough for customers with larger trolley shops to use them too.
Steve said: “Stores are moving to dedicated checkouts rather than manned checkouts that sit empty.
“[Tesco’s decision] would make sense given Asda has done the same and we know self-service and scan as you shop has grown post-Covid.”
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Benefits of self-service tills for customers include that they can speed up transactions and help you manage your budget better by seeing how much specific items cost.
But some shoppers are sure to be unhappy with the move – many find self-service tills difficult to use, or prefer the human interaction of a manned till.
Steve said customers may “feel forced into self-service options”.
Tesco said the bagging areas in the new trolley-accessible self-service checkouts were three times as long as those in standard self-service checkouts, allowing for up to six bags to be packed at once.
A Tesco spokeswoman said colleagues would “always be on hand” to help customers and would “continue to operate attended checkouts so that customers can choose the option they prefer”.
Tesco recently launched a huge baby and toddler sale with up to 50% off and prices starting at £1.70.
And shoppers to the supermarket chain were warned over a big glitch that could leave them with a massive bill at the tills.
