Dramatic Change Coming To Target Stores In Minnesota This Weekend

The days of waiting for a self-checkout lane to open at Target while someone unloads two carts full of items is coming to an end.

Minnesota-based Target says that beginning on Sunday, March 17th, all self-checkout lanes will be limited to 10 items or less. The move to an 'express check out' model will affect more than 2,000 stores nationwide.

Target tells AXIOS that the express check out lanes will be available during the busiest shopping times while adding that store leaders will have the flexibility to open more staffed lanes when needed.

The Star Tribune says Target tested the 'express check out' model at 200 stores last fall and found the checkout process was quicker than those at stores where limits were not set.

"By having the option to pick self-checkout for a quick trip, or a traditional, staffed lane when their cart is full, guests who were surveyed told us the overall checkout experience was better," Target said in a news release.

The AXIOS story adds that Walmart planned to adjust the use of staffed checkouts and self-checkouts from time to time, while Dollar General said yesterday they are removing self-checkouts altogether in 300 stores that have elevated levels of shoplifting.

LendingTree published a survey in late 2023 in which 69% of shoppers said that self-checkouts make stealing easier, while 15% of those surveyed say that they have purposely stolen at least one item at a self-checkout.