Another North Dakota Business Does Away W/Self Checkout

About one year ago, back in June of 2023, I reported that a Lincoln, North Dakota Convenience Store had added a self-checkout terminal.

It was kind of a big deal at the time because it was the first of its kind in C-stores in the Capitol Region.  Another one was added the Cenex on East Expressway and Main.

I'm someone who visits convenience stores a lot. Whether I'm running across the street from work to grab a water and a snack, or filling up my truck with gas, I find myself at a lot of C-stores.

Much like baseball teams, colors, and TV Shows, we all have our favorites.  My favorite convenience stores in the Bismarck, Mandan, and Lincoln areas would be the Cenex stores.

Not only do they have friendly people that work there, a great selection of snacks, and Hot Stuff food, but they also have my favorite water in stock most of the time, Bai Coconut Pineapple.  In fact, many of the employees like to give me a hard time for how much of that water I drink.  I'm often asked if I have stock in Bai.

Last week at the Cenex in Lincoln I noticed the self-checkout lane was blocked and the terminal shot off.

After speaking with several of the employees, apparently, the express lane is no more.  Much like what happened to Dollar General Stores across the country,

(You can read all about Dollar General's decision right here)

there was just too much theft by customers, and that is the reason for its closing.  Customers not scanning all of their items.

As somebody who embraces technology, I find this disappointing.

Not only that, I would witness people standing in lines 5,6 people deep waiting to check out, and I could walk up to the express lane and get in and out in seconds.  For some reason, people seemed afraid of using the self-checkout.

As usual, people find a way to ruin a good thing.  At least it was for me.