I see more automated “self checkouts” in Wal-mart’s future. I hate the things ... depending on the time of day, they don’t have a lot of cashiers working, especially of the “20 or less items” variety.
Some years ago, during welfare reform, our local supermarket chain took on some of those who were thrown off welfare. The local market had three of these employees. One of them was rude, nasty and constantly complaining. I got into a shouting match with her that eventually was resolved by the manager. The next week I noticed these three employees were gone and about a week or so after that, those automated checkout stations were installed. It was a lesson to the employees who remained. Don’t want to work? Fine. We’ll replace you with a machine.
I haven’t been to a Wal-Mart anywhere that had more than 4 registers open in the last 10 years. It is the main reason I seldom go there anymore.