// Customers have criticised Tesco after the supermarket unveiled plans to replace staffed tills with more self-service checkouts
// 230,000 customers have now signed a petition calling on Tesco to stop adding more self-service checkouts and bring back staff
Tesco’s move away from manned checkouts to focus on self service has left many shoppers unhappy and an online petition to stop the change is taking off.
The supermarket said last week that it would cut the number of traditional manned checkouts in store due to a “lack of customer demand”.
It added that larger self-checkout areas had been successful and its bigger self-checkout areas for trolleys were three times longer than standard sizes, meaning that six bags can be packed at once.
However, the move has frustrated customers with more than 230,000 signing a petition on Change.org calling on Tesco to stop adding more self-service checkouts and bring back staff.
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Some customers have taken to social media claiming they will refuse to use self-checkouts if installing more of them means that staff will lose their jobs.
@mad_musings53 wrote: “Chef at work today was telling me he was moaning at the checkout at Tesco about all the self-checkouts now. Staff are actively asking customers to boycott them. If enough people don’t use them they will be ripped out and manned tills will replace them.”
@economics21st tweeted: “I hate the self-checkouts; always go to a person manning a till, say ‘hello’, and maybe have a short conversation. And they put the shopping through efficiently.”
A spokeswoman for Tesco told The Grocer: “We are proud to offer customers choice when it comes to checkouts, and after successful trials we are introducing new trolley-accessible self-service checkouts in some of our stores, which have more room and are easier to use for larger shops.
“Our colleagues and the friendly service they provide are absolutely vital to our stores – they will always be on hand to help our customers, and will continue to operate attended checkouts so that customers can choose the option they prefer.”
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10 Comments. Leave new
They are adding to the deterioration of the older shoppers Mental Health. Supermarkets are for many the only contact they have with another person.
It’s all about money. Profits and control . Its a misery .
Absolutely hate self service tills , technology being pushed on us .
That’s not right. I used one and swiped twice and didn’t notice! I ended up paying more for reduced item!
I have just swapped to shopping at Tesco from Morrisons, aLthough it involves a 16 mile round trip it is quicker, cheper and less stressful. morrison has definatley gone downhill.
The scan as you go is brillant.
This is another way of cutting down on Jobs and not considering customer service bad move Tesco
Self checkouts are a nightmare unless you are buying a single item that’s not age restricted or tagged. One person manning 12 or more self checkouts when it is busy has nothing to do with customer wishes, it’s a money saving scheme. Not all customers want to serve themselves, some cannot serve themselves even if they wanted to, some are tired after a long shift at work so want someone to look after them even if it’s only for a few minutes, some people like to have those few minutes chatting to the person serving them often the only person they have seen all day. As someone more than able to serve myself I actually don’t like using them, I’d rather use a store who still offers the personal service. I was a Tesco shopper but now shop elsewhere as most of the checkouts have been replaced, they refuse to take cash too.
Give me self service checkouts any day – no need to hope that those in front know how to pack quickly, or know where their cards or cash are or won’t hold things up due to some aimless chit chat.
It’s why I avoid aldi – the checkout can take longer than the selection of items
Should get discount using self service tills we are saving them money
Removal of cashiers and cash and eventually cards too , and it will be biometric pay via your SPY /PAIN (Smart ) device GOVT and cronies will know everything what you buy this is not about convenience or security it’s about control of us this is part of the GREAT reset WEF Agenda where you will own nothing eat zee bugs and be happy according to the pound shop bond villain Klaus Schwab