Retail

Long Beach ordinance limits self-checkout use

Photo: Adobe Stock

September 25, 2025

An ordinance in Long Beach is leading to the closure of self-checkout kiosks in some grocery and drug stores, according to an NBC Los Angeles report. The measure, approved on Aug. 12, establishes staffing requirements for self-service checkout stations to prevent retail theft.

The "safe stores are staffed stores" ordinance requires a 3-to-1 staffing ratio for self-checkout lanes and limits purchases to 15 or fewer items. It also bans certain locked items from being purchased at the kiosks.

Vons and Albertsons are among the stores in the city that have already shut down their self-checkout lanes. Signs posted at some stores inform customers the changes are due to a local ordinance.

Stores have 30 days to comply with the rules or face potential lawsuits or fines. The ordinance is a first of its kind in the nation. Union representatives support the measure, arguing it keeps workers safe and forces stores to hire more union labor.