Self checkout machines in the US are primarily a way to have someone working multiple registers. Working retail, you'll regularly see an entire line stop flat while payment gets processed or a problematic item/customer comes through. Self checkout stones this problem by only requiring a single employee be available for up to four registers (in my experience) while customers do the work themselves. Another advantage is that if the store is fully staffed, people with issues (returns, price mismatches, complaints, etc) are likely to get them resolved faster than if everyone with a small order was ahead of them.

It's entirely possible that I'm wrong, but as a retail worker, that's my understanding.

One of our local hardware stores (Home Depot) went completely self-checkout a couple years ago. It was terrible and the employees hated it. I haven't been back. I might be the minority though.

I'd argue there is also a societal effect as well. Those employees are trained on how to spot theft, and not about being helpful to the customer. I'm not interested in being treated like I'm in a prison. :) I'm fine waiting in a checkout queue with my kids. They enjoy shopping with me, but it's a small nightmare trying to do it all by myself.

This will invariably lead to people like me having to pay a premium for an actual employee of the store prepare my bill of sale. --Which, when that time comes I'll pay.

Also, I really don't want the liability of performance on me. I scan a wrong barcode or I miss something and then I'm in a small room talking to a police officer having to explain myself. No thank you. :)

I like systems I've seen in Europe(eg Carrefour) much more, where you get a handheld scanner and scan your items as you put them in the cart. When it comes time to pay you just put your scanner back and swipe your credit card.

I totally agree. Scan into cart is my favorite self-checkout method I've used. They had trial runs of a system like this in my community but phased them out soon after.

We also tried a couple home delivery services, but it was too unreliable.

What is popular around here is pickup at the store. Submit an order and a "picker" does the work. You either get curbside delivery (small grocery chain) or pickup at a dedicated counter inside (Walmart).

They are trialing a phone app version of this in my local store, I've not tried it yet. https://smartshop.sainsburys.co.uk/

Same here, about self-checkout. Produce - good luck. Awkward item? Won't fit on bagging shelf, error. Barcode won't scan? Struggle like a fool for 2 minutes until the attendant notices.

I never use them, unless its one small plain barcoded item.

Why did you stop using this scanner setup?

Yes. As much as I liked having an inventory, it was still "work"... and a very easy thing to drop from a list of employee responsibilities.

I still have the components in a box somewhere. I was thinking about installing it in our basement "cold storage"/"emergency food storage" room for longer term items. But I just don't access those items enough to justify drilling a hole in the concrete wall for DC power.