Coles Mountain Gate: Manned check-outs replaced by self-serve scanners

Shoppers in the outer east were shocked to discover a popular Coles has become completely “check-out chick” free.

Mountain Gate Coles now has exclusively self-serve check-outs, although the supermarket giant says staff can jump in to help.

A busy Coles in the outer east has become “check-out-chick free” with manned check-outs replaced with self-scanners.

The changes at Coles at Mountain Gate Shopping Centre in Ferntree Gully have been labelled “so bloody annoying and time consuming”.

Shoppers have lamented the loss of “friendly staff” at the check-outs and questioned why they should be paying more for groceries when they now have to do all the work of scanning and packing their own groceries.

But Coles said the hybrid model of the check-outs means they can be used as usual manned check-outs, or customer self-serve check-outs.

Staff can quickly jump on the check-outs to serve customers who ask for help.

Coles says staff can also serve customers from the new check-outs.

A Coles spokesperson said the company had never been more committed to supporting Victorians with employment opportunities, and over the last five years had employed an additional 5367 Victorians.

“Self-service check-outs 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,” the spokesperson said.

“Coles Ferntree Gully recently received upgrades to the checkout area including an increase to the number of registers.

“This upgrade also includes the addition of hybrid check-outs with belts. These check-outs can be used by customers in self-serve mode or can be used by a team member to scan and bag for any customer who would like to be assisted.”

The Coles at Burwood East also has a similar set up.