A Queensland supermarket has made the controversial decision to axe its self-service checkout.
An IGA in the Brisbane suburb of Greenslopes has decided to close the self-service option to return to face-to-face employee checkouts.
Customers reportedly became aware of the closure thanks to a sign posted at the store, citing a spike in shoplifting as the reason for the change.
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IGA Greenslopes has been approached for comment.
Social media users were quick to jump on the news, with many saying grocery shopping was “no longer about convenience”.
“It amazes me,” one patron said.
“Companies do everything in their power to eliminate employment, so who has money to buy (their) products?”
Many of those reacting to the news said they lived in rural towns that didn’t have self-service anyway.
However, some suggested instead of heading backwards, most supermarkets would continue to advance security systems that had been the source of controversy in recent times.
This included the implementation of smart cameras which track customers through the store, making note of where they go and what they pick up.
“They’re getting ready for scan and track supermarkets,” one customer predicted.
“There won’t be any checkouts soon.”
QUT retail expert Gary Mortimer told ABC Radio Brisbane on Wednesday that shoplifting in Australia was costing retailers about $9 billion each year.
He warned that smaller and independently owned retailers such as IGA did not have the same security technology in place as larger supermarkets, making them easier targets for shoplifters.
“It goes to show that either you do it well and do it the expensive way with the full tech, or you do it with simpler stuff, but you risk being exposed to theft,” Mortimer said.