Kroger shoppers urge chain to remove 'ridiculous' self-checkouts as they slam 'train wreck' design - The Mirror US

Mar 20, 2025

Disgruntled customers have slammed Kroger for its "ridiculous" self-checkout system as they urge the retail chain to get rid of the "train wreck" design.

Self-checkout machines that feature conveyor belts have been installed in the stores and some customers are far from happy about it. One shopper took to X to complain about their experience. "Today I had the most ridiculous checkout ever," they wrote.

The customer called the conveyor belt self-checkout machine "the worst thing ever" as they begged Kroger not to install any more. "Please do not put more of them," they said. The customer shared two images of the self-checkout showing carrier bags placed at the end of the belt, far away from the scanner.

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They highlighted a major flaw in the system, continuing: "I pick self checkout because the ease of doing it myself. It did not help. You have to go back and forth to bag and scan and so on. HATE THIS."

They're not the only person to complain about the belted self-service lanes. Several other shoppers have also taken to X to urge Kroger bosses to remove them.

"Nothing brings on rage faster than a @kroger self-checkout with a belt. Send a corporate decision maker out to stores to watch them in action. Ridiculous," one wrote.

"That conveyor belt self checkout at Kroger stresses me tf out. Stop soft launching those and just have more lanes open," another demanded.

A third person raged: "Dear @kroger! You have been my favorite grocery store for 30+ yrs. You were my first job! But you’re new you scan longer lanes with a belt are an absolute train wreck.

"To few items on there it needs help. Too many items needs help. $300 of groceries had 5 visits & took 30 mins." The belted self-service lanes were introduced to Kroger stores several years ago.

Jenifer Moore, the retailer’s corporate affairs manager for the Cincinnati/Dayton division, revealed the company was increasing the number of belted self-checkouts in 2022. Instead of having to squeeze their shopping into a small area, the belted self-service checkout allows customers to move their items down a long belt.

They were introduced in 20 stores across the Cincinnati area, ABC affiliate WCPO-TV reports. The move came just a year after Kroger made another major self-checkout change.

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In 2021, the company turned one of its Dallas locations into a self-checkout only store. However, the concept didn't last and regular checkout lanes were re-introduced in January following customer complaints.

"We listened closely to customer feedback and made the decision to convert back to hosting staffed checkout lanes at this store,” said John Votava, Kroger spokesman, according to The Dallas Morning News.