Retailers pull back from self-checkout over theft and errors

Only 36% of 340 retailers surveyed in the 2026 Voice of the Retail Industry Survey plan to invest in self-checkout, down seven percentage points from last year. The technology was the least popular and the only one to lose interest, as data shows it raises theft losses and doesn't save shoppers time.

• 36% of retailers plan to invest in self-checkout, down 7 points from 2025
• Automated invoices, electronic shelf labels and accounting software drew at least 40%
• Dollar General removed self-checkout from 12,000 stores in 2024
• Target limited self-checkout lanes to 10 items or fewer