Retailers are pulling back from self-checkout after years of theft, errors, and questionable time savings

Self checkout in theory is better for both sides - business and consumer.

That said most self checkout as implemented is insufferable. The modern experience is waiting 5 minutes for someone to clear out your order because you accidentally clicked the version of Limes that this store doesn’t sell, despite it being an option on the POS, or to tap no / decline on the 5 different “Donate? Round up? Bag? Survey? Phone number?” prompts, or for the POS to lock up because you scanned a single can 3 times rather than 3 cans once, or for the cart to lock up so you slam your shin into it because the camera determined you were a thief.

Personally I avoid all self checkouts.

Is this how it works in the US? Because everywhere I use them in Europe they are pretty smooth if you’re not buying alcohol.

I’m an Anerican and I’ve not really had any of these issues. The bagging area one yes, but otherwise no real problems and I’ve never in my life had a cart lock up. I try to avoid self check out, it’s not my job so why am I doing it?