OAKLAND, Calif. (TND) — Safeway has removed self-checkout machines at several stores in the San Francisco Bay Area following a rise in theft, according to KRON.
The supermarket chain is reportedly removing the machines to crack down on shoplifting.
Operational changes have been made at select stores throughout the Bay Area given the increasing amount of theft,” Safeway told the outlet. “Those updates include adjustments to the front end of the store to deter shoplifting.”The chain is one of several companies to adjust operations in Bay Area stores to combat shoplifting. In February, Fredericksen Hardware & Paint reportedly instituted a strategy where employees accompanied customers while they shop.
“Like other local businesses, we are working on ways to curtail escalating theft so we can ensure the wellbeing of our employees and foster a welcoming environment for our customers,” Safeway told KRON. “These long-planned security improvements were implemented with those goals in mind.”
Safeway did not immediately return The National Desk’s request for comment.
READ MORE | San Fran businesses using magicians to lure people back downtown: 'Throwing spaghetti'
Earlier this year, California State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, D-Los Angeles, introduced legislation aimed at limiting employees' responsibilities in stores with self-checkout machines.
The Retail Theft Prevention and Safe Staffing Act, or SB 1446, would prohibit grocery or drug stores from having a self-checkout option unless employees are free from other job duties and there is a 2-to-1 machine-to-employee ratio.
While it’s crucial to adapt to new technologies, protecting jobs and worker safety must be prioritized in the process,” State Sen. Smallwood-Cuevas said. “SB 1446 will protect workers and the public by ensuring safe staffing levels at grocery and drug retail stores and regulating self-checkout machines.”The lawmaker argued poor and “working” communities have experienced the brunt of retail theft, which has created a more unsafe environment.
“While some of the largest retailers have already recognized that these problems have begun to limit the ability for them to have safe environments and make the revenues that they need, they’ve decided to eliminate self-checkout machines entirely from their stores,” she said. “But, too many have not.”
In January, a Richmond, California, Walmart restricted access to some items to curtail shoplifting.
“Those determinations are made on a store-by-store basis,” the retailer told The National Desk. “Walmart will continue to explore additional ways to protect its merchandise ... and keep product in stock for the millions of customers it serves each week.”
Follow Ray Lewis on X for trending national news @rayjlewis or send a tip to rjlewis@sbgtv.com.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7uLbAnKuvZpOkunC6xLCqaKaRqbawuoywpquklGTAorLEsJiyZaKaurDCxKxkrJ2cm3qktMScoqitpGKutXnBmrBmmaKarm6%2F06ipnqtdm7ytuM6woKefXae2tLGMoqVmrJias7V5wpqjop6fp7uqrYygmK%2BhnmK7psPSqKRmqpWprqq4jKyfqKicnrO1tc2gZKyZnmKzs63NnKCsm59ivKK3y5qlnWWTlrmqecarppydoq56tMDOq5xmq6WlsrO5wKuinqxdqLWwvM%2BipaA%3D