Five Below Shifts to Associate-Assisted Checkout to Combat Theft

The retailer is reducing self-checkout options in over 1,500 stores, citing increased theft and 'higher-than-planned shrink'.

Five Below is reducing self-checkout and implementing associate-assisted checkout across over 1,500 locations to combat theft.
The retailer's CEO, Joel Anderson, announced the shift during the company’s fourth-quarter earnings call, citing 'higher-than-planned shrink' as a key reason.
Other retailers, including Dollar General, are also adjusting their checkout strategies due to concerns over theft, with the industry facing significant losses.
Five Below's new measures include receipt checking, extra employees, and more security guards at high-risk stores.
The move reflects a broader industry trend away from self-checkout due to theft concerns, despite consumer preferences for self-service options.