Italian Grocer Deploys ‘Scan and Bag’-Style Technology

[HopeHoops]

6. Ahold uses those in their Giant stores. Silly devices. I've watched people shoplift.

One of our K-Marts put in self-scan checkouts a few years ago. They took them back out a short time later and I asked a manager why. She said they were losing way too much merchandise from people who put items in the bag without scanning them. Clerks were cheaper. Way to go - I refuse to use the things. I'm the same way with the "loyalty" cards that alter the price. If there's a tag on the item with a "BONUS BUY" or such, I rarely purchase it. I don't shop at such stores in general, but I will go in for a quick run due to proximity. AND, they are required by law (at least in PA) to use a store card if you request it.

I do most of my shopping at a small regional family-owned chain and their prices and quality are better than the advertised "specials" at the card places. I try to get my produce at the farmer's market whenever possible, but the family-owned chain goes out of its way to get local produce so I don't feel bad about purchasing it there. I don't think Ahold uses any local produce. It's all trucked in to a central distribution site and sent out to the stores from there. It sucks.

As for times changing - remember when an attendant would come out to fill your tank and wash the windshield? I haven't seen that in 25 years.