Woolies photo exposes rare supermarket feature Aussies want

A photo of a rare Woolworths store has flamed an ongoing checkout debate, with many calling for supermarkets to “bring this back”.

A photo of a rare Woolworths store has flamed the ongoing debate around controversial self-service checkouts in Australian supermarkets.

Supermarkets have angered many shoppers after expanding the number of self-serve options in stores while simultaneously increasing intense security measures and seemingly decreasing staffed tills.

But one Woolworths store in Queensland’s Sunnybank is among the few yet to have self-service checkouts installed – with one shopper sharing their remarkable find on Reddit.

“Woolies with no self serve. Everything went smoothly,” the picture, posted on Friday, was captioned.

The snap quickly ignited fond feelings of nostalgia among Aussies, prompting calls for “more stores” to be self-service free.

“Bring this back,” one commented.

“Ah yes, back when supermarkets didn’t make you feel like a criminal. Good times,” another added.

As one declared: “I’d forgotten how good supermarkets used to be.”

A photo of a rare Woolies store with no self-serve checkouts exposes what Aussies really want. Picture: Reddit

However, despite a full row of checkouts being manned by employees, many pointed out the sign hanging behind them, which reads: “Fresh new look coming soon.”

“The sign says ‘fresh new look coming soon’ which means in Woolies speak, all those checkouts will be ripped out and replaced with self serve very soon,” someone said.

The supermarket defended plans to upgrade the store, which is among just 2 per cent nationwide yet to have the modern tech installed.

“We know some customers prefer to be served by a team member, and that’s why we always have a staffed checkout open at all times in our supermarkets,” a Woolworths spokesperson told news.com.au.

“Most customers with 20 items or less in their shopping basket opt to use our self-serve checkouts, while the majority of customers with more than 20 items choose to be served at a staffed checkout.

“Today we employ more team members in our stores than ever before, helping us serve customers in a range of new ways, including hand-picking online orders for rapid grocery delivery and Direct to Boot.

“We have a number of initiatives – both covert and overt – to target theft, however the majority of our customers do the right thing.”

Supermarkets have amped up the usage of self-serve checkouts along with security measures. Picture: Supplied

The rise of self-service checkouts

While self-checkout systems were first introduced by retail outlets a decade ago, their usage has amped up in recent years alongside hefty security measures to reduce theft.

The seeming push towards self-service over manned checkouts has led to a rise in complaints, with some Aussies slamming supermarkets for making shoppers “work” when buying their food, a detail that has become even harder to accept amid the rising cost of groceries.

Like Woolworths, Coles insists “customers love” self-service offerings, stating it is the “preferred option” two thirds of Aussies.

“Self-service checkouts are a great option for customers because they offer convenience and efficiency when shopping in our stores to help customers check out more quickly and pack their bags the way they like,” a Coles spokesperson told news.com.au.

“Because of this they are the checkout of choice for more than two in three customers, and we continue to see these numbers increase.”

Supermarkets have been slammed for appearing to offer less checkouts that are manned by staff. Picture: Carla Gottgens/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Aldi, which only began trialling self-checkouts in May 2021, said its decision to roll the feature out nationally is in line with its “low-cost model”.

More than 200 of its 580 Australian stores now offer the “convenience” of self-serve tills, with the budget supermarket stating it has no plans to decrease its usage.

“Aldi stores will continue to operate with both self-checkouts and staffed checkouts, so customers will still be able to choose the option they prefer,” a spokesperson shared.

‘Bring back staff’: Growing controversy

Despite supermarkets taking a defiant stance against backlash to self-serve tills, public sentiment shows an increasing frustration, with some even describing having to scan and bag their groceries as “labour”.

Melbourne comedian Joe Salanitri recently shared a video titled “employee of the month” in which he lashed Coles after having to use a self-serve checkout with a whole trolley of groceries.

“I’m working for Coles now, we, we are working for Coles now,” he stated in an expletive-filled rant.

“So I’m going to send you (Coles) my tax file number so I can start getting paid.”

After news.com.au published a story detailing his supermarket experience, thousands of readers weighed in, revealing it is something many Aussies can relate to.

“I already have a job and work a 12-hour day. By the time I get to the supermarket at 8pm I’ve already been up since 5am, so I don’t appreciate doing someone else’s job (for no payment) besides my own,” one shared.

“Self-serve is nothing but a cost saving exercise for the supermarkets – but none ever pass the savings on,” someone else claimed.

As one raged: “We have had ENOUGH!!! No we don’t want to serve ourselves, when I’m tired, cranky, sick, whatever the last thing I feel like doing is working a job I didn’t apply for.”

Others revealed they “refuse” to use the self-service checkouts, arguing it “takes jobs away from humans”, and stating if there’s no manned tills open they “abandon” their trolley at the self-serve section.

“It’s really simple. Leave the full trolley at the self checkouts and walk out. I have done this,” suggested one.

“Refuse to use, especially when you have to scan your entire trolley. With all the cameras, gates they have had to roll out, maybe just hire some more staff?” another mused.

While one stated: “Always line up for the human!!! It’s starts with the self checkout then they take everyone’s jobs.”

Aldi began trialling self-serve tills in 2021, stating it has no plans to stop using them. Picture: Reddit

However, there was a large group who told Aussies to “stop whinging”, claiming those who were unhappy with the situation were “snowflakes”.

“You are putting through your own groceries, not others – it’s hardly a job…” one raged.

“I love self serve checkout, especially when I only have a few things and I’m feeling tired & cranky, I don’t have to make small talk. In & out. And I can pack my bags better than most checkout staff,” claimed another.

As one pointed out: “I don’t understand the carry-on over this. A few people at checkouts is going to make no difference. We fill our vehicles with fuel now because that is what we do. We get our cash from a teller machine because we don’t want to stand in a queue at a bank, so for me l have no problem scanning a few items myself.”

First Aussie supermarket to ditch self-serve

An IGA supermarket in Greenslopes announced it would shut down the modern offering in favour of the old fashioned checkouts last week.

The move was described as “significant” by experts, who estimated it could spark the beginning of other shops following suit.

Originally published as Woolies photo exposes rare supermarket feature Aussies want