A US supermarket has introduced a limit to shoppers using self-checkouts in a bid to stomp out shoplifting using the machines.
If shoppers head to use the self-checkout at the Giant supermarket in Rockville, Maryland, they are met with a sign saying: "Self-checkout is limited to 20 items or less".
The new rule, which was brought in due to high rates of shoplifting, means those planning on making large purchases or carrying out the weekly shopping will now have to go to manned registers.
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Giant president Ira Kress said in a message to customers that the change will "mitigate the impact of theft to our business".
While this may seem like a great idea during the day, it could become an issue for customers shopping at night, when Giant reportedly has less staff on hand and relies more on self-checkout lanes.
"We know that these changes may cause some inconvenience or be disruptive to the experience you are used to", Kress added.
“I assure you that we are making these changes out of necessity to prioritise the safety of our associates and customers."
Many shoppers were left annoyed about the changes, however, taking to the comments of a Rockville Nights article to share their upset.
"Once again, the rest of us law-abiding folks have to suffer and be inconvenienced... because of the increasing criminal element," one person commented.
Another posted "This is dumb!!"
While one more said: "If people want to shoplift, they can just walk out with the stuff. Why punish everyone?"
Giant is not the only store to have introduced this approach to shoplifting in recent years. In 2021, the Canadian store No Frills brought in a 15-item limit at their self-checkouts, according to a tweet from the company.
The chain also banned customers from bringing full-sized shopping trolleys into the self-checkout areas.
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