Retail
Long Beach mandates staffing for self-checkout stations
September 2, 2025
Beginning Sept. 21, Long Beach will enforce an ordinance, "Safe Stores are Staffed Stores," which requires grocery and drug retail stores to have a dedicated employee for every three self-checkout stations, according to a Yahoo! Finance report.
The regulation, which also requires at least one traditional staffed lane to be open when self-checkout is in use, aims to address retail theft and improve customer service. Additionally, transactions at self-checkout are to be limited to 15 items, and age-restricted items or products with anti-theft tags must be approved by an employee.
The rule was enacted in response to a 16% rise in petty theft between 2023 and 2024. While supporters of the ordinance believe it will reduce crime and enhance the shopping experience, critics have voiced concerns about increased operational costs for retailers. Major companies like Walmart and Target will need to adjust their procedures to comply with the new requirements.
The ordinance positions Long Beach as a leader in regulating self-checkout operations and could serve as a case study for retailers globally as the industry balances technological efficiency with human oversight and security needs.
