GITNUXREPORT 2025

Self-Checkout Statistics

Self-checkouts boost efficiency, prefer by consumers, but face theft and errors.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Over 60% of consumers prefer using self-checkout for quick purchases

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According to a survey, 57% of consumers feel more comfortable shopping with self-checkout due to social distancing preferences

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In surveys, 65% of shoppers reported that they prefer self-checkout for small, quick purchases

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40% of grocery stores have implemented contactless payment options alongside self-checkout

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Studies show that younger shoppers are more likely to use self-checkout than older customers

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In 2023, over 80% of new grocery stores either added or planned to add self-checkout lanes during renovation

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65% of consumers prefer contactless payment methods over cash during self-checkout

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Nearly 65% of shoppers want more self-checkout options in smaller-format stores, according to a 2022 survey

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Self-checkout usage is highest in urban areas, with about 35% of transactions occurring in city centers

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Over 50% of retail stores plan to invest more in self-checkout hardware and software in the next three years, citing enhanced efficiency and customer experience

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68% of consumers believe self-checkout makes shopping more convenient, according to a survey by RetailMeNot

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A recent study indicates that 55% of shoppers are more likely to shop at stores with self-checkout options during busy periods

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90% of retail executives believe that investing in self-checkout technology is essential for future competitiveness

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45% of customers who use self-checkout report experiencing fewer checkout lines

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The average transaction time at self-checkout is 42 seconds, compared to 90 seconds at traditional checkout lanes

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Self-checkout queues have been found to sometimes cause frustration in 25-30% of shoppers, leading to potential store abandonment

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Approximately 35% of shoppers do not trust self-checkout machines to accurately scan items

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Retailers report that 75% of customer complaints related to self-checkout involve machine errors or barcode scanning issues

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Training staff to assist with self-checkout increases operational costs by approximately 10%, but improves customer satisfaction

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80% of retail employees believe that self-checkout helps staff focus on more complex customer service tasks

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72% of shoppers have abandoned an item at self-checkout due to scanning errors or system issues

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Retailers reported a 12% increase in customer satisfaction when self-checkout was available, mainly due to faster processing times

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The average customer spends about 3-4 minutes at a self-checkout station, compared to 7-8 minutes at traditional lanes

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Self-checkout lanes account for approximately 20-25% of retail transactions in some regions

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Self-checkout adoption increased by 33% annually between 2015 and 2020

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Approximately 72% of Millennials and Gen Z consumers have used self-checkout in stores

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85% of retail stores plan to expand their self-checkout options in the next five years

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The global self-checkout market size was valued at approximately $4 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12% through 2027

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Retailers using self-checkout have seen a 4% increase in sales per square foot

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78% of consumers have used self-checkout at least once, according to a Nielsen survey

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40% of grocery stores are experimenting with cashierless checkout using visual recognition and AI

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The adoption rate of self-checkout systems varies significantly across countries, with over 70% in some European countries, compared to around 50% in North America

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The percentage of consumers who prefer self-checkout for small purchases has increased by 20% over five years, from 45% in 2018 to 65% in 2023

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The use of self-checkout in supermarkets increased by 38% in the last year alone, driven by pandemic-related social distancing measures

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In some countries, self-checkout has been integrated with mobile apps for seamless payments, with adoption rates reaching up to 50%

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Approximately 80% of retail chains plan to upgrade or expand their self-checkout technology within the next two years, citing customer demand and operational efficiency

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Retailers have reported a 10-15% reduction in labor costs after implementing self-checkout systems

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Self-checkout kiosks have a failure rate of about 3-7%, leading to increased wait times

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70% of retailers believe that self-checkout will increase overall store efficiency

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Self-checkout can reduce checkout staffing needs by up to 50%

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The cost of implementing a self-checkout kiosk can range from $15,000 to $50,000 per unit, depending on features

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Self-checkout can reduce the average checkout time by 45%, significantly decreasing queues during peak hours

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Self-checkout kiosks can operate 24/7 without breaks, increasing store operating hours without additional staffing costs

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Retail shrinkage due to theft is estimated to be 4-5% higher in stores with self-checkout lanes

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30% of shoppers worry about the security of their payment information when using self-checkout

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55% of retail managers express concern about shrinkage associated with self-checkout

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The average loss per store due to theft at self-checkout is estimated at $3000 annually

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Sources

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Key Highlights

Self-checkout lanes account for approximately 20-25% of retail transactions in some regions
Over 60% of consumers prefer using self-checkout for quick purchases
Retailers have reported a 10-15% reduction in labor costs after implementing self-checkout systems
Self-checkout adoption increased by 33% annually between 2015 and 2020
Approximately 72% of Millennials and Gen Z consumers have used self-checkout in stores
85% of retail stores plan to expand their self-checkout options in the next five years
Retail shrinkage due to theft is estimated to be 4-5% higher in stores with self-checkout lanes
45% of customers who use self-checkout report experiencing fewer checkout lines
30% of shoppers worry about the security of their payment information when using self-checkout
Self-checkout kiosks have a failure rate of about 3-7%, leading to increased wait times
According to a survey, 57% of consumers feel more comfortable shopping with self-checkout due to social distancing preferences
The average transaction time at self-checkout is 42 seconds, compared to 90 seconds at traditional checkout lanes
70% of retailers believe that self-checkout will increase overall store efficiency

Self-checkout revolutionizes retail by reducing wait times, lowering labor costs, and meeting the rising demand for quick and contactless shopping, as over 70% of consumers now embrace this technology in stores worldwide.

Consumer Preferences and Usage Trends

Over 60% of consumers prefer using self-checkout for quick purchases
According to a survey, 57% of consumers feel more comfortable shopping with self-checkout due to social distancing preferences
In surveys, 65% of shoppers reported that they prefer self-checkout for small, quick purchases
40% of grocery stores have implemented contactless payment options alongside self-checkout
Studies show that younger shoppers are more likely to use self-checkout than older customers
In 2023, over 80% of new grocery stores either added or planned to add self-checkout lanes during renovation
65% of consumers prefer contactless payment methods over cash during self-checkout
Nearly 65% of shoppers want more self-checkout options in smaller-format stores, according to a 2022 survey
Self-checkout usage is highest in urban areas, with about 35% of transactions occurring in city centers
Over 50% of retail stores plan to invest more in self-checkout hardware and software in the next three years, citing enhanced efficiency and customer experience
68% of consumers believe self-checkout makes shopping more convenient, according to a survey by RetailMeNot
A recent study indicates that 55% of shoppers are more likely to shop at stores with self-checkout options during busy periods
90% of retail executives believe that investing in self-checkout technology is essential for future competitiveness

Consumer Preferences and Usage Trends Interpretation

With over 60% of consumers favoring self-checkout for quick purchases—especially among the tech-savvy and urban shoppers—retailers are subtly transforming shopping from a chore into a digital quick-escape, proving that in the race for convenience, investing in self-checkout isn't just a trend, but a future-proof strategy.

Customer Satisfaction and Experience

45% of customers who use self-checkout report experiencing fewer checkout lines
The average transaction time at self-checkout is 42 seconds, compared to 90 seconds at traditional checkout lanes
Self-checkout queues have been found to sometimes cause frustration in 25-30% of shoppers, leading to potential store abandonment
Approximately 35% of shoppers do not trust self-checkout machines to accurately scan items
Retailers report that 75% of customer complaints related to self-checkout involve machine errors or barcode scanning issues
Training staff to assist with self-checkout increases operational costs by approximately 10%, but improves customer satisfaction
80% of retail employees believe that self-checkout helps staff focus on more complex customer service tasks
72% of shoppers have abandoned an item at self-checkout due to scanning errors or system issues
Retailers reported a 12% increase in customer satisfaction when self-checkout was available, mainly due to faster processing times
The average customer spends about 3-4 minutes at a self-checkout station, compared to 7-8 minutes at traditional lanes

Customer Satisfaction and Experience Interpretation

While self-checkout promises quicker, more efficient shopping with 45% of users experiencing shorter lines and an average transaction time halved to 42 seconds, the persistent frustrations from scanning errors, system glitches, and trust issues suggest that the technology still needs to earn its place as a full-fledged replacement rather than a complement to human assistance.

Market Growth and Adoption Rates

Self-checkout lanes account for approximately 20-25% of retail transactions in some regions
Self-checkout adoption increased by 33% annually between 2015 and 2020
Approximately 72% of Millennials and Gen Z consumers have used self-checkout in stores
85% of retail stores plan to expand their self-checkout options in the next five years
The global self-checkout market size was valued at approximately $4 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12% through 2027
Retailers using self-checkout have seen a 4% increase in sales per square foot
78% of consumers have used self-checkout at least once, according to a Nielsen survey
40% of grocery stores are experimenting with cashierless checkout using visual recognition and AI
The adoption rate of self-checkout systems varies significantly across countries, with over 70% in some European countries, compared to around 50% in North America
The percentage of consumers who prefer self-checkout for small purchases has increased by 20% over five years, from 45% in 2018 to 65% in 2023
The use of self-checkout in supermarkets increased by 38% in the last year alone, driven by pandemic-related social distancing measures
In some countries, self-checkout has been integrated with mobile apps for seamless payments, with adoption rates reaching up to 50%
Approximately 80% of retail chains plan to upgrade or expand their self-checkout technology within the next two years, citing customer demand and operational efficiency

Market Growth and Adoption Rates Interpretation

As self-checkout systems carve out nearly a quarter of retail transactions worldwide—driven by millennial and Gen Z adoption, technological innovation, and a 12% annual growth rate—retailers are increasingly betting on bots over cashiers to boost sales, streamline operations, and cater to a generation that prefers to scan and go.

Operational Impact and Cost Efficiency

Retailers have reported a 10-15% reduction in labor costs after implementing self-checkout systems
Self-checkout kiosks have a failure rate of about 3-7%, leading to increased wait times
70% of retailers believe that self-checkout will increase overall store efficiency
Self-checkout can reduce checkout staffing needs by up to 50%
The cost of implementing a self-checkout kiosk can range from $15,000 to $50,000 per unit, depending on features
Self-checkout can reduce the average checkout time by 45%, significantly decreasing queues during peak hours
Self-checkout kiosks can operate 24/7 without breaks, increasing store operating hours without additional staffing costs

Operational Impact and Cost Efficiency Interpretation

While self-checkout systems promise up to 15% labor savings and a 45% reduction in wait times, their slightly pesky 3-7% failure rate and steep $15,000-$50,000 per unit price tag mean retailers must weigh efficiency gains against potential queues and hefty investments.

Security, Theft, and Loss Prevention

Retail shrinkage due to theft is estimated to be 4-5% higher in stores with self-checkout lanes
30% of shoppers worry about the security of their payment information when using self-checkout
55% of retail managers express concern about shrinkage associated with self-checkout
The average loss per store due to theft at self-checkout is estimated at $3000 annually

Security, Theft, and Loss Prevention Interpretation

While self-checkout lanes promise convenience, their stealthy contribution to retail shrinkage—estimated at $3,000 per store annually and sparking concerns from over half of managers—reminds us that in the checkout dance, sometimes the biggest step forward leaves the biggest losses behind.