Massachusetts Considers Regulations For Supermarket Self-Checkout

I have a love/hate relationship with supermarket self-checkout machines. Apparently, I'm not alone, because some Massachusetts lawmakers are looking to impose regulations on the things.

State Senator Paul R. Feeney, a Foxboro Democrat who represents the Bristol and Norfolk District on Beacon Hill, has sponsored legislation (S.237), "An Act Regulating Self-Checkouts In Grocery Establishments." It is currently before the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.

It seems I'm not the only shopper to cuss out a self-checkout machine and lose patience with the process that is supposed to save me time and aggravation. Many times, it does neither.

NBC 10 Boston reported Feeney's legislation "aims to address those issues by limiting stores to only eight self-checkout stations running at one time and requiring one employee to supervise every two that are in operation."

"It's good for consumers – people get frustrated – it's good for the working people and it's good for our communities to have jobs that aren't thrown away," Feeney told the station.

I prefer to use the full-checkout aisles at the store, but when there aren't many open, long lines result, and I find myself heading for self-checkout.

In my experience, Walmart self-checkouts are the easiest to navigate, while Stop & Shop's are by far the most difficult.

Market Basket staffs most every register with a ringer and a bagger; therefore, there is no need for self-checkout.

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Ryan Kearney with the Retailers Association of Massachusetts told NBC 10 Boston, "Self-checkout stations allow many businesses to keep their operations moving smoothly despite worker shortages."

The Massachusetts Food Association's Brian Houghton told the station, "To dictate how they should be working in a food store environment is too restrictive."