What you can and shouldn’t do at the self-checkout, according to a grocery shopping expert

On October 13, 2024By Yukito

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I’m not entirely sure when this happened, but self-service kiosks did everywhere. The concept was first introduced to shoppers in 1986 at an Atlanta Kroger. Scanning my own groceries has changed the way I pay, pack and leave the store. While opinions on self-checkout may vary, one thing is clear: self-checkout is here to stay, and I’m here to help make the entire experience more enjoyable (and more efficient).

As a grocery editor, I spend most of my workday (and much of my free time) talking, writing, and thinking about grocery stores – not to mention wandering the many aisles. Personally, I love making self-service payments – especially when I require little or no human interaction. That’s why I’m here to share my favorite do’s and don’ts to keep you (and your transportation) moving smoothly.

Woman scanning a bunch of bananas at the self-service checkout in a supermarket — Source: Tang Ming Tung Images/Getty Images Source: Tang Ming Tung Images/Getty Images

1. Don’t bring an entire cart full of groceries.

Although this system has evolved over time and has become less rigid, my earliest interactions with a self-checkout were in a grocery store with 15 or fewer items. Some stores still stick to an express line-like process, while others don’t have such slow lines. That being said, the self-checkout section is cramped and not conducive to large, full-to-the-brim baskets. While you don’t have to count the items in your cart to use the self-checkout kiosk, it’s good practice to have the cashier call once a month for a large refill delivery.

2. Remember the codes of your favorite fruits and vegetables.

Scanning products is extremely difficult, if not impossible. Personally, I buy a lot of fruit and vegetables, and in return I spend most of my time at the checkout painstakingly typing out each item. Solution? Remembering store codes for hassle-free checkout. I recently learned a hot tip from our senior grocery editor, Mary, that changed everything: sticker codes on fruits and vegetables are typically standardized across grocery stores. So if you remember the four- or five-digit code when producing your items, checkout becomes a breeze. Here are a few to get you started.

Non-organic bananas: 4,011
Non-organic berries: 4,240
Inorganic coriander: 4,889
Hass Organic Small Avocado: 94046

3. Don’t forget about reusable bags.

More and more retailers charge for single-use checkout bags, and some retailers (e.g. Aldi) don’t offer them at all. To make the process go smoothly and quickly (and save some coins), make sure you have reusable bags with you. I long ago forgot, I had trouble getting paper bags out in the small area available at the self-checkout; bringing your own just makes the process less hectic.

4. Organize your basket in the order you pack your items.

Once you get to the point where you feel really comfortable with self-checkout like I do, all you want to do is optimize the experience to make it possible even more seamless. If you’ve had any experience checking out at a personal kiosk, you know that the space in which you can pack (let alone store) your items is limited. To make the process a little easier, organize your basket the way you want to package your produce: stack similar items on top with similar items (frozen together, pantry staples together) and delicate items like bread, eggs, and bananas.

5. Don’t stop at the station.

Once the checkout is complete, the light above the kiosk turns on again, indicating the salesperson knows it’s time to introduce the next customer. While you may want to put down your wallet or search your bag for your car keys, lingering in front of the kiosk can create confusion for the shopper (more on this below) and stall the entire process. Once you grab your receipt, step aside to organize your belongings before heading out.

6. Be vigilant when waiting in line.

More and more grocery stores have employees directing customers to available self-checkouts (note: Whole Foods), so be careful when lining up to know when to leave. This means looking up, pulling out your headphones and actively listening! Make sure you go to the numbered kiosk designated by the retailer, otherwise you risk messing up your order and making shopping more difficult for customers behind you.

7. Don’t forget to take your receipt with you.

This may seem obvious, but it bears repeating. The receipt is spit out below eye level, so you’d be surprised how often shoppers miss it. Not only will you take the stress off the shopper after you drop it off, but you can also check that everything looks as it should and even earn rewards on money-saving apps like Fetch by simply uploading a photo of your receipt.

What are your etiquette tips for self-checkout? Tell us about them in the comments below.