Target Corporation is pushing back against recent media reports suggesting that it has altered its self-checkout policy due to concerns about shoplifting or customer dissatisfaction.
Reports over the weekend claimed the retail giant was limiting self-checkout use to 10 items or fewer. However, a Target spokesperson clarified that this policy was not new. In fact, it was first announced in March 2024 and was implemented based on guest feedback, not theft concerns.
“Target is not removing self-checkout,” the company stated in response to the reports. “We offer it in the vast majority of our stores and have no plans to change this.” 
Though Target has not provided further details on how retail “shrink”—the industry term for losses from theft and error—has affected its checkout strategies, it has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining both self-checkout and traditional lanes. A fact sheet updated this week claims that transaction times have improved across both methods since the 10-item rule was put in place.
Self-checkout, while convenient, has long been debated in retail circles. Some studies and surveys suggest that these lanes can contribute to theft. A Capital One report from February 2024 compiled research indicating increased shoplifting incidents tied to self-checkout use. Similarly, a 2023 LendingTree survey found that while 69% of respondents believed self-checkout made theft easier, only 15% admitted to having stolen via self-checkout.
That statistic raises the question: is 15% a high enough figure to warrant scaling back the technology? Retailers continue to evaluate that balance between customer experience and inventory control. For now, Target is standing by its system.
The company said it will “continue evolving to match guests with the right checkout options so they can get what they need,” signaling that the mix of human and self-service options will remain for the foreseeable future.
Target’s continued use of self-checkout reflects broader industry trends where automation is increasingly part of the retail experience. While some retailers have pulled back due to shrink concerns, others, like Target, are working to improve both efficiency and security within existing systems.
For now, customers can expect to see self-checkout lanes in most Target stores, with the current 10-item limit in place.
