Target makes an unexpected 180º turn in the United States and follows Walmart's steps

Target is one of the most well-known chains in the United States. Its business model has been a benchmark in retail for years. However, in recent days it has surprised many customers with a change that has left them perplexed.

Just a year ago, Target had announced a strong commitment to self-checkout kiosks, now the company has decided to eliminate them entirely from its more than 2,000 stores. This decision, which had already been applied by Walmart in some locations, has been executed discreetly, without prior notice. As expected, many consumers have quickly expressed their discontent on social media.

A decision that has caused outrage

The shift in Target's self-checkout policy has sparked a wave of criticism. In forums like Reddit, several users shared their surprise at the speed with which these systems have been removed. Some stated that they only used self-checkout, so now they feel frustrated with the shopping experience.

Retail experts have also expressed their concern. Neil Saunders, an analyst at GlobalData, stated that centralized decisions without considering local impact are causing discontent. According to him, the constant changes in the self-checkout strategy have created confusion among the chain's regular customers.

Since March 2024, Target had already started limiting the use of self-checkout to those purchasing ten items or less, according to The Sun. Additionally, some stores had been given permission to open or close these payment points as they saw fit. This was just the beginning of a series of adjustments that have ultimately led to their complete removal in many locations.

The background: the increase in theft

The main reason behind this change seems to be related to the increase in store theft. Self-checkout has been identified as an area particularly vulnerable to theft, as admitted by employees on social media. Some workers stated that after closing the kiosks, the level of theft has dropped significantly thanks also to a greater security presence.

Target had already been implementing other measures to combat this problem. Among them, the installation of TruScan cameras with artificial intelligence and weight sensors at the kiosks, in addition to placing products in closed display cases. However, these initiatives did not manage to curb the increase in losses across all stores.

Some locations have even been forced to close completely due to the levels of crime. Despite everything, a Target spokesperson has denied that this is a widespread elimination of the self-checkout system. According to the company, these services remain active in most of its stores and there are no official plans to eliminate them entirely.

For now, it remains uncertain whether the removal will be temporary or permanent. The fact is that Target has chosen to follow a more cautious and flexible strategy, similar to the one Walmart has already initiated. In a context where security and customer experience must be balanced, this decision marks a turning point in the way of shopping in large retail spaces.