Woolworths announces bold plan to solve overcrowding at self-service checkouts

Woolworths has installed the supermarket’s first trolley self-serve checkout. 

The checkout, which includes a conveyor belt, was introduced at the newly opened Millers Junction Woolworths in Altona North, Melbourne, on Wednesday. 

The supermarket giant built the new checkout to address overcrowding at traditional self-service stations.  

But some customers were quick to point out the flaws of installing the innovative checkout. 

A photo of the new checkout was uploaded on a community page for residents in Melbourne’s west. 

Customers are expected to roll their trolley to the conveyor belt, load their groceries as usual and then scan and package their shop themselves. 

Disgruntled shoppers accused Woolworths of replacing jobs and face-to-face service. 

‘Supermarket looks great – but who wants a trolley self serve! What happened to good old customer service,’ one wrote. 

‘So more people out of a job. Great. I prefer a checkout operator,’ another wrote. 

One added: ‘What a joke soon they will make there [sic] millions and have no employees.’  

Woolworths are trialling the new self-serve checkouts to address overcrowding at traditional self-service stations (stock image) 

A Woolworths spokesman told Yahoo News Australia the supermarket was trialling the new checkout to see if it was a convenient alternative. 

‘It’s about providing another convenient option for customers and is designed to complement our manned checkouts and traditional self-serve checkouts,’ the spokesman said. 

‘We want to give our customers choice, so they can pick the checkout option that works best for the shop they’re doing on any given day.’ 

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Woolworths for further comment.  

Disgruntled shoppers accused Woolworths of replacing jobs and face-to-face service