One Walmart Supercentre in Ontario is rolling back on its self-checkout kiosks after an alleged rise in theft at the store — and is opting for a "full-serve experience" instead. 

Shoppers at the Walmart, located at the Billings Bridge Shopping Centre in Ottawa, recently noticed that the store cut down on its self-checkout lanes, with more employees ringing people through the area instead. 

According to one Reddit user who inquired staff about the change, the move was made "due to theft" at the store and at "the request of corporate." 

The location also informed customers about the change in a sign posted near the checkout line. 

Walmart getting rid self checkout
by u/carlsroch in ottawa

"We are pleased to announce the test of the full-serve experience starting Saturday, July 29th. During this test, our associates will be available to scan all items including those being processed in the area known as our self check-out," the sign reads. 

"We look forward to interacting with you on a more one-on-one basis. We appreciate your patience and understanding  during the operation of this test." 

With the rise of self-checkout lanes in nearly every big-box retailer, reports of random receipt checks by security guards have only increased in an effort to curb theft. 

However, the expanding practice has led to backlash from some shoppers who maintain that not everyone who uses self-checkout intends to steal, with most people resorting to the kiosks out of convenience. 

An Ontario Loblaws is asking to see receipts before exiting and people are angry https://t.co/UEgvAFMWf8 #Ontario #Loblaws

— blogTO (@blogTO) June 8, 2023

"I, for one, like the self-checkouts. Very convenient when only grabbing a few things and saves me from interacting with people," a reply to the Reddit thread reads. 

"The self-checkout is always faster and more convenient when you're only buying a few items and there’s never usually a lineup," another person said. 

"So why don't they just reopen the regular checkout lines? Sounds like a stupid system. Canadian Tire had self-checkouts for about six months and then quickly got rid of them because they knew it was easy to steal," one person wrote. 

A Walmart Canada spokesperson told blogTO that self-checkouts are still operating at all of its stores. 

"In our Billings Bridge store in Ottawa, the store introduced additional associates in the self-checkout area over the weekend to assist customers. The self-checkout area was and continues to be open and available to customers and has returned to typical staffing for this location," the statement reads.