Even more retailers ax self-checkouts amid serious security concerns

More stores are ditching self-checkout machines amid rising thefts and customer complaints. 

It was predicted that the all-self-checkout format would eventually become the norm. But, instead, several big box chains in the US and Canada are continuing to cut back on the technology at a number of their stores. 

Walmart has scrapped self-checkout lanes entirely at two stores in Shrewsbury, Missouri, and Cleveland, Ohio. 

The retailer said it would replace kiosks with staffed checkout lanes which will 'give our associates the chance to provide more personalized and efficient service.'

Dollar General and Target have also made sweeping changes to the automated stations in stores - and now another retailer is following suit. 

Walmart has decided to scrap self checkout lanes in some of its stores - and many shoppers are thrilled with the decision

Franchise owner Scott Savage has removed all the self-checkout lanes at his Giant Tiger discount store in Stratford, Ontario.

Rather than issues with theft, he told CBC he made the change because many of his older customers dislike using the machines. 

'The biggest complaint you have from everybody is, "You don't pay me to work here,"' Savage said.

'They would line up at my regular registers, and they would just prefer that service.'

Several customers told the Canadian outlet how they were happy with the decision to ditch the automated registers at the discount retailer, which sells home goods, clothing and groceries.

'I like the person-to-person contact,' said Leslie Clayton-Winget. 'You can't say to a machine, "Have a good day."'  

Following the announcement that Walmart was scrapping some of its self checkout lanes, an amusing photo went viral of a self-checkout machine in Walmart ironically right next to a sign claiming the retailer was 'investing in American jobs.' 

One DailyMail.com reader joked that if they are doing the work of scanning items, they should also be on Walmart's payroll.

'If there are self-checkouts, where is my W2 at the end of the year,' they wrote in an email. 'If I have to check myself out then I need a discount to be compensated for my time that I am your employee.'

Franchise owner Scott Savage has removed all the self-checkout lanes at his Giant Tiger discount store in Stratford, Ontario (Pictured: A store in Ottawa)

A photo of the self-checkout machines in Walmart ironically placed beside a poster claiming the company is 'investing in American jobs' went viral

Self-checkout machines were introduced to slash labor costs and supposedly streamline the shopping experience for customers, but in reality the technology is vulnerable to theft.  

'Most of the rollback of self-checkouts is due to retailer concerns over theft,' Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, told DailyMail.com earlier this year. 

'Theft rates at self-checkouts are reasonably high both because of deliberate actions and accidental mistakes. Forcing more customers to used manned checkouts resolves a lot of these issues and saves retailers money.'  

'Most of the rollback of self-checkouts is due to retailer concerns over theft,' said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData

Self checkout lanes are also more vulnerable to customer errors while scanning or weighing items. 

Some produce - such as fruit, meat and freshly baked goods - do not have barcodes and need to be manually entered into the system. Customers can either intentionally or accidentally key in a cheaper product code creating losses for stores. 

A study last year by personal finance website LendingTree found 15 percent of self-checkout users admitted purposefully stealing from a machine.

This figure rose to 31 percent when analyzing Gen Z shoppers and 21 percent for millennials. 

Earlier this year, Walmart president and CEO John Furner told ABC that shrinkage - the industry term for the loss of merchandise due to theft - has increased at the retailer in recent years. 

He said Walmart is removing self-checkout in locations where there are more instances of shoplifting and mis-scanned items. 

'There are a few stores where we've made the decision that they'll come out of, but we haven't made that decision in every store,' he told the outlet.

'Over the next few years, we're really going to lean into new types of technology that can make the checkout process even better for customers.' 

In March, Dollar General announced it was pulling self checkout stands entirely from 300 of its stores with the highest level of shoplifting and mis-scanned items.

In 9,000 other locations it said it is converting some of its self checkout registers to regular cashier checkouts, and limiting self checkout purchases to five items or less in a further 4,500 stores.

Dollar General is among the retailers which have announced sweeping changes to automated registers in stores across the US

Target has moved to 'express self checkout' at most of its 2,000 stores, meaning customers can only buy 10 items or fewer

Instead of cutting back on self checkout lanes entirely, Target earlier this year announced it was limiting the number of items shoppers can buy at the automated registers. 

Following a trial in select stores across the US, Target has moved to 'express self checkout' at most of its 2,000 stores, meaning customers can only buy 10 items or fewer. 

The company also said it was opening more staffed cash registers in new locations. 

'Checking out is one of the most important moments of the Target run, and we know that a fast, easy experience - whether at self-checkout or the lanes staffed by our friendly team members - is critical to getting guests on their way quickly,' the company said in a statement.

Customers have long complained about snaking lines in store and long wait times to get help at a self checkout station if there is a technical glitch or an item needs to be approved by a staff member.