TheLong Beach City Council this summer passed a first-in-the-nation ordinance that puts new rules in place for check-out lanes in certain stores. Proponents say the new measure would prevent retail theft.
The “Safe Stores Are Staffed Stores” ordinance went into effect last month, requiring larger “drug retail” stores and “food retail” over a certain size to:
- Staff one employee to every three self-checkout kiosks
- Limit the use of self-checkouts to 15 items or less
- Disqualify items that require customer ID for purchase or are locked for purchase
- Open a staffed checkout lane before any self-checkout stations are operated
- Prominently display signage explaining the new rules
Derek Smith, political director for UFCW local 324, told LAist that workers were overseeing too many self-check out lanes, sometimes as many as five or six. Self-checkout understaffing “presented an opportunity not only for theft, but just frustrated customers who also might need help,” said Smith, whose union represents grocery store employees and was a sponsor of the ordinance.
The ordinance applies to more than a dozen stores in Long Beach. In response, at least four Albertsons Companies grocery locations in the area have shut down their self-checkout lanes.
Who is against it
In a letter opposing the ordinance dated Aug. 12, the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce wrote they were disappointed that none of their recommendations for the ordinance, like a “150-day implementation delay,” were considered…