Target has recently adjusted its self-checkout policies across U.S. stores, limiting usage of self-checkout lanes to customers with 10 items or fewer. 

While Target claims this change was done solely to enhance customer experience and reduce wait times, industry experts suggest that rising retail theft significantly influenced the decision. 

‍“What we’ve seen in the industry is an escalation of more brazen theft. And I think that’s due to several factors like the advent of online marketplaces and people’s ability to sell stolen products online without any accountability. Other factors include raising felony thresholds in certain states and jurisdictions, and some theft cases aren’t being prosecuted at all in court due to the sheer number of cases. 

‍There’s also a strain on law enforcement staffing - which is leading police to prioritize violent crimes and causing longer response times for theft cases. All of these factors create a perfect storm for bad actors to steal.”

• Oscar Arango, Ex-VP of Asset Protection at Target & Current VP of Retail Strategy at Flock Safety

In 2023, Target reported nearly $500 million in losses due to shrink. Notably, a California woman exploited self-checkout machines to steal over $60,000 in merchandise during a spree spanning 100 visits. 

Target has implemented several anti-theft measures in response that include: 

• Installing weight sensors at self-checkout stations 
• Placing high-theft items behind locked cases 
• Allowing stores to adjust self-checkout availability based on local conditions 

Target's recent adjustments reflect a broader trend among retailers reassessing self-service options amid increasing organized retail crime. Other major chains, such as Walmart and Five Below, have also scaled back self-checkout services to mitigate theft and improve in-store security. 

‍“It’s a very difficult environment and every retailer is trying to figure out how to balance customer service and product accessibility with the rising thefts that they’re seeing. One of the lessons is that you have to be agile in this environment, you have to make adjustments based on data and trends while also communicating with your customers on decisions that are being made.” 

‍Agility is really the key word. You have to keep pace with bad actors and minimize the risk so you can reduce theft and keep more products on the shelf.” 

• Oscar Arango, Ex-VP of Asset Protection at Target & Current VP of Retail Strategy at Flock Safety

Fight Organized Retail Crime with Flock Safety 

Building a virtual LPR perimeter around your parking lot is an effective method of proactively deterring theft and combating organized retail crime rings - all while preserving a high-quality shopping experience for customers. 

‍Flock Safety's LPR cameras capture images of the back of vehicles that enter and exit your parking lots both day and night. This allows Asset Protection and Loss Prevention teams to easily search footage based on time, location, and detailed vehicle criteria using Flock Safety’s patented Vehicle Fingerprint® Technology.

Flock Safety also allows you to add vehicles of interest to custom hot lists so you can receive instant alerts whenever previous offenders pass by your LPR cameras. This feature strengthens your ability to proactively address threats before they can act.

What Is a Custom Hot List?

Flock Safety’s Hot List feature provides customers with the ability to receive alerts on stolen vehicles, known wanted criminals and more. It works via an integration into the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Crime Information Center (NCIC), which is updated daily.

Customers can also place at-risk vehicles or license plates on custom Hot Lists to alert law enforcement or on-site security instantly if/when they enter their property.

Retailers Should Learn from Target’s Adjustments

Target’s rollback of self-checkout stations is a clear indicator that retailers need to rethink their security initiatives and invest more in proactive security solutions that can deter offenders before they get the chance to act.

Flock Safety understands proactive security - and we offer various security technology solutions that can help retailers deter offenders. Learn more about Flock Safety’s tools for proactive safety with our blog:

“The Shift to Proactive Security: New Tools To Deter Crime and Hold Offenders Accountable”

‍