Safeway is monitoring the current test carefully to make sure customers don't see it as a threat to service. But there are those that would like the convenience of self-checkout. Those customers are the ones who are more used to automated technology, or those who just get a kick out of playing grocery clerk. It's a plus for customers because it gives them another checkout option and may have the potential to be more efficient, Lambert said. Safeway has added lanes for self-checkout in some stores, so it shortens the wait in all lines.
Shoppers can scan coupons and their club cards.
For every four lanes, there's an employee keeping an eye on transactions, and also checking identification for alcohol purchases. Also, the belts have scales in them that weigh items, and the computer knows the average weight of the items it scans. The systems would catch shoppers who scan one carrot and try to throw the other five in the bag. Albertson's keeps thieves at bay by showing customers that they're being videotaped while checking out, spokeswoman Stacia Levenfeld said. But they do give the illusion of a speedier transaction.