More efficient, faster, and convenient for customers, self-checkout systems in major retail chains surged after the pandemic and have kept growing ever since. However, they are now under fire both from retailers and from local governments introducing new regulations with a clear goal: cutting down on accidental (and not-so-accidental) losses at the register.
In February, California Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas introduced SB 442, a bill that would have required retailers with self-checkouts to keep at least one staffed register open at all times and limit self-checkout purchases to 15 items. However, after being amended in April, the proposal was ultimately shelved and is no longer moving forward.
Despite the failure of the state bill, local governments picked up the issue. Long Beach led the way with an ordinance now active, requiring at least one employee for every three self-checkout kiosks, capping transactions at 15 items, and banning age-restricted products like alcohol and tobacco from self-service lanes.
Costa Mesa followed with a similar framework, adding penalties for non-compliance if stores fail to keep staffed checkout lanes open. Santa Ana approved its own version in May, mirroring the same core rules.
Cities evaluating self-checkout restrictions
Several cities are now actively exploring similar measures, moving through committee reviews or staff-directed proposals after the first wave of local ordinances, with Anaheim being the most advanced in the pipeline, as reported by Voice of OC.
In Anaheim, the City Council has directed staff to draft a potential ordinance that would introduce staffing ratios, item limits, and restrictions on certain products at self-checkout stations, while Riverside is also reviewing the issue at committee level, though there is still no drafted ordinance or timeline for a council vote.
Retailers are also tightening their self-checkout policies in response to rising losses and customer frustration. Target has introduced express lanes with item limits and reduced some kiosks, while Costco is shifting toward faster, employee-assisted checkout and new hybrid payment systems. Walmart has also scaled back in some stores, citing feedback and checkout experience improvements, The Street reports.
