A regional supermarket chain is considering a proposal to replace half of its staffed checkout lanes with self-checkout kiosks in every store, keeping enough staffed lanes open for customers who prefer them or need assistance. Proponents argue that self-checkout kiosks let customers with only a few items complete their purchase faster during busy periods, require less floor space per lane than a staffed checkout counter, and free up staff to restock shelves and assist customers on the sales floor instead of standing at a register.

Based on a three-month trial in one store, the chain's operations committee has concluded that installing self-checkout kiosks chain-wide would reduce average checkout wait times and lower staffing costs, without increasing the rate of unpaid items leaving the store.