ST. LOUIS – Schnucks makes a big change to its self-checkout rules. Customers are no longer allowed to purchase more than 10 items in a self-checkout lane.
Signs around several St. Louis-area Schnucks stores now state self-checkout is limited to customers with “10 items of less.” The change took effect Feb. 1 for all Schnucks locations with self-checkouts nationwide.
UFCW 655, the union representing 5,000 Schnucks workers in Missouri, says it’s important for the future of the chain. The union claims the change will benefit the company, customers, and union partners.
“A more full-service operation has the benefit of being good for our hard-working union partners and will help Schnucks conduct more efficient business,” said UFCW Local 655 President David Cook. “Our partners in these stores enjoy interacting with customers and making connections, and it gives those shoppers a greater overall experience.
GroceryDive.com reports the changes intend to improve customer wait times and combat theft.
Cook also said it would help set Schnucks apart in a world of increased automation.
“Schnucks is a local hometown grocer and they are part of this community, so it makes sense that they would favor a more personal experience,” Cook said. “If it has the added benefit of being good for workers and good for business, then it’s the right call to make. I applaud this new change, and our entire union family welcomes it.”
Schnucks was founded in St. Louis in 1939 and has more than 100 stores across four states.
