Overview
- Twenty-seven percent of self-checkout users say they have intentionally skipped scanning an item, up from 15% in 2023.
- Industry figures show overall shoplifting rose 26% from 2022 to 2023 and another 19% from 2023 to 2024, according to the NRF.
- Retailers adjust strategies: Target caps express self-checkout at 10 items, Dollar General says it removed self-checkout from 12,000 stores, Five Below and Walmart reduced kiosks, and some Aldi locations have taken out machines.
- Younger shoppers report higher rates of intentional theft, with 41% of Millennials and 37% of Gen Z admitting it, while men outpace women 38% to 16%.
- Many who admit stealing expect to do it again, often focusing on staples, with 60% citing items like food, water and health products.