San Jose self-checkout reform effort gets grocer pushback

A union-backed push to impose staffing requirements for grocery store self-checkout areas in San Jose faces fierce pushback from local retailers. Taking inspiration from a handful of Southern California cities that have already adopted such measures — including Costa Mesa, Long Beach and Santa Ana — councilmembers have asked staff to draw up regulations for local self-checkout lanes. Labor groups, which have been spearheading a statewide campaign to advance similar measures throughout California, argue the proliferation of self-checkout kiosks has eliminated jobs and led to a worse in-store experience for customers. The campaign has also zeroed in on the state’s persistent struggles with retail theft, warning that understaffed self-checkout areas have become a magnet for shoplifters. “It hurts businesses, puts workers in difficult situations, contributes to merchandise being locked behind cases and can ultimately make shopping a more frustrating experience for customers,” Yvonne Saaved