Shoppers outraged after Coles store ‘ditches traditional check-outs’

Customers have been left outraged after a Coles supermarket in Brisbane removed all of its “traditional” check-outs during a renovation.

One supermarket has ditched “traditional” check-outs in a move that has outraged customers.

The change comes to light after a customer, who goes by @IreneMayPearce1 on Twitter, took to the social media platform to share a picture of a Coles supermarket in Mount Gravatt, Brisbane.

The image showed the store had been transformed, taking out manned check-outs in favour of solely having self-serve registers.

News.com.au understands the store has what it calls “hybrid assisted check-outs” featuring conveyor belts, meaning staff members can jump on to help customers put through their shopping as the points of sale can be converted for staff members to help.

There are no “traditional” checkout lanes in the store.

“I was told that Coles have done research. Apparently, we all asked for this,” the social media user said, adding a face palm emoji. ‍️

“It is the first store in QLD and in the future all stores will be same. The staff found my disgust amusing.”

Brisbane Coles solely has self serve. Picture: Twitter/@IreneMayPearce1

Many other social media users were outraged with the decision.

“Great, not! And you have to call for assistance every third item because there is something unexpected in the bagging area,” one social media user commented.

Another said, “Don’t use it. Tell everyone you know to boycott it. Then Coles will know what we really want.”

“I support local grocery stores and have been boycotting Coles and Woolies for two years now. Screw them,” another said.

One added, “Yup, they are only interested in your money, not with providing you any service.”

Coles responded to the outrage. Picture: Gaye Gerard/NCA Newswire

Another added, “We have to boycott these big supermarkets and start using our smaller local guys before it’s too late.”

A Coles spokeswoman told news.com.au the store has recently undergone renovations.

“Self-serve check-outs are a preferred checkout choice for many of our customers because they offer convenience and efficiency,” she said.

“We want to assure customers that team members remain available throughout our service area to serve and assist shoppers with their preferred checkout of choice.

“Coles Upper Mt Gravatt has recently received upgrades to the checkout area, including 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.”

News.com.au understands there are no plans to roll out fully self-serve stores nationally.

However, it’s not the first store to undergo a renovation in favour of self-serve check-outs.

Last year, 7 News reported that a store in Melbourne had replaced all “traditional” check-outs with hybrid assisted check-outs.