Target Is Making a Big Change to Self-Checkout Lanes

It's one of the new realities of the post-COVID world we live in: the self-checkout lane at your favorite store.

But what started out as a way to social distance and compensate for rampant understaffing now might be a little less user-friendly at one major retailer.

Business Insider is reporting that Target is reducing the hours self-checkout lanes are open in their nearly 2,000 stores.

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With the increased popularity of self-checkout, Target has seen an uptick in shoplifting and with customers accidentally or intentionally not scanning items.

That need to combat 'missing inventory' has forced the company to try things like limiting the number of items allowed in self-checkout lanes.

Now they're going in a different direction.

Target says they will begin limiting the hours that self-checkout lanes are operational.

No official policy has been announced yet, but Business Insider quoted sources that say the lanes might not open until at least 10:00 AM and could close as early as 8:00 PM.

Most Target locations are open from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM, seven days a week.