Self-Checkout Theft on the Rise, Survey Finds

A new survey reveals a growing trend of theft at self-checkout registers, with more than a quarter of customers admitting to stealing items.

According to research from LendingTree, 27% of respondents acknowledged they have stolen at least one item while using self-checkout. The survey, which polled more than 2,000 people, found that customers are primarily taking everyday essentials rather than luxury goods.

The reasons behind the thefts are largely economic. Nearly half of those surveyed, 47% pointed to unaffordable necessities as their motivation, while 46% blamed rising prices tied to tariffs.

Self-checkout lanes were introduced as a quick and convenient option for shoppers and a way for retailers to reduce labor costs. However, the technology has created new challenges for loss prevention. Many self-checkout stations are left unmonitored or staffed by a single employee overseeing multiple registers, creating increased opportunities for theft.

Experts warn that as theft opportunities grow, so do store losses. Retailers now face the challenge of maintaining the convenience that customers have come to expect from self-checkout while finding effective ways to prevent unpaid merchandise from leaving their stores.