Are you tired of seeing your bottom line shrink because of self-checkout theft at your grocery store? It can be unbelievably frustrating to watch your profits disappear because of dishonest customers and silly mistakes.

But don’t worry — there are plenty of ways to prevent self-checkout theft and protect your business.  

Let’s discuss what self-checkout theft is, why it happens, how to prevent it — and how your point of sale (POS) solution can help.

What Is Self-Checkout Theft?

First things first: Let's define what self-checkout theft is. It's when a customer intentionally or unintentionally fails to scan an item, or switches the barcode with a cheaper one, to pay less for their purchases. For example, a customer may forget to scan an item or may intentionally try to get away with not paying for an item. 

The result is the same: loss of revenue for the store owner. This can lead to significant losses for your business, so it's important to take preventative measures to minimize these losses. 

Why Does Self-Checkout Theft Happen?

There are several reasons why self-checkout theft happens, and it’s not always because the customer is trying to be sneaky. Here are some of the most common reasons:

1. Lack of Attention: Sometimes, customers simply don’t pay attention to what they’re doing. They may forget to scan an item or may accidentally scan the wrong item.
2. Long Lines: Long lines at a regular checkout lane can be frustrating, and some customers may opt to use the self-checkout to save time. If they’re in a rush, they may try to scan items quickly, leading to errors.
3. Price Confusion: Customers may be confused about the price of an item, and intentionally or unintentionally under-ring it.
4. Financial Hardship: In some cases, customers may be experiencing financial hardship, and not have enough money to cover the cost of all their items. They may try to get away with not paying for some items to make up the difference.

How To Prevent Self-Checkout Theft

Now that we know why self-checkout theft happens, let’s talk about how to prevent it. Here are some tips:

1. Train Your Employees: Teach your employees to be vigilant and to watch for suspicious behavior, like customers scanning items too quickly or not scanning items at all. They’re your first line of defense against self-checkout theft, so they should also be familiar with your POS system and how to use it to detect and prevent theft. 
2. Monitor the Area: Keep an eye on the self-checkout area and make sure it's well-lit and easily visible to employees. This discourages customers from attempting to steal items — and if something does happen, you have footage to go back and review. 
   
3. Use Security Cameras: Install security cameras strategically around your store — and make sure they’re functioning properly — to help you monitor the self-checkout area, even when you’re not physically present.  
   
4. Educate Your Customers: Make sure your customers are aware of the consequences of self-checkout theft. They may forget to scan an item or think it’s okay to skip scanning something small, so post signs that remind them to scan all items. 
   
   

How a Grocery Point of Sale Solution Can Help

Point of sale solutions are an effective tool in preventing self-checkout theft. Here’s how:

1. Item Recognition: Some point of sale systems use image recognition technology to identify items as they’re scanned. This helps prevent customers from under-ringing items.
2. Weight Verification: Some systems use weight verification to ensure that the weight of the scanned items matches the weight of the actual items. This helps prevent customers from not scanning items.
3. Real-Time Monitoring: Some POS solutions provide real-time monitoring of all transactions, which allows you to quickly identify any suspicious activity.
4. Automated Auditing: Some point of sale systems automate the auditing process, which saves you time and reduces the chances of errors.

And with a POS designed specifically for grocers, you can rest assured your business is in good hands.

Prevent Self-Checkout Theft With IT Retail

Self-checkout theft is a frustrating reality for many grocery store owners — but it can be prevented with the right tools and strategies. By implementing these tips and taking advantage of your point of sale system, you can prevent theft and protect your bottom line. 

To get started with a point of sale system designed specifically for grocers, schedule a demo with one of our IT Retail specialists. Or use our build and price tool to create your own custom quote.