Fed up with rampant shoplifting that scares citizens and shoppers, Long Beach is trying to force stores to add staff and reduce their reliance on self-checkouts.
The seaside city, with a population of about half a million, last month began demanding major food and drug retailers do more to stop thefts. So far, the measures have led to heated debate and longer queues.
Employees like the new law. Retail chains warn that these restrictions could backfire. Buyers are confused.
The city’s “Secure Stores Are Staffed Stores” ordinance is the first of its kind in the nation. It requires department stores to increase the number of employees at self-checkouts and also imposes a limit on the number of items and types of merchandise that can be called to self-checkouts.
It’s the latest flashpoint in a national debate over how to handle what some see as a shoplifting epidemic. This problem affects the quality of life of consumers who are tired of witnessing theft or having to deal with measures to stop it, such as locked shelves.
Long Beach’s ordinance will protect employees and shoppers from dangerous situations, said Matt Bell, secretary-treasurer of UFCW 324, the union that represents grocery store workers.
“The checkers and cashiers are on the front lines,” he said. “There is a real need to ensure their safety and security and to have better staffing. »
The city said it adopted the ordinance to “advance public safety and prevent retail theft,” citing “hostile and dangerous” conditions. Theft is common and underreported at self-checkouts, according to the ordinance.
Widespread shoplifting is a growing problem across the country, forcing stores to beef up security and lock up commonly stolen items.
The National Retail Federation estimates that shoplifting in the United States increased by 93% between 2019 and 2023. In 2023, retailers surveyed by the federation reported an average of 177 retail thefts per day.
Long Beach regulations require a department store to have at least one staff member for every three self-checkout kiosks it uses. It sets a limit of 15 items per customer for self-checkout. During this time, items locked in a register in the store can no longer be purchased through the self-checkout system, according to the order.
Because the ordinance will require retail locations to either hire more people or reduce the number of self-checkout kiosks, the California Grocers Assn. warned that consumers could find themselves facing longer lines and higher grocery prices.
In response to the demands, some Albertsons and Vons in Long Beach have closed their self-checkouts.
“We are currently unable to operate our self-checkouts … due to a new ordinance from the City of Long Beach,” reads a sign for customers at a Vons in downtown Long Beach.
At a Target in Long Beach, five self-checkouts were open and operated by a single employee. The store would have to add another employee to monitor the self-checkouts if it wants to open more stations, according to the order.
Francilla Isaac, a customer who lives in the area, said she has seen closed self-checkouts and longer lines around town.
“I use it a lot when I’m just here to buy a few items,” Isaac said of autopay. “But all the stores are the same now, they closed them.”
Groups representing grocers and retailers such as Target and Walmart said the order would increase labor costs for employers, leading to higher shelf prices. It will also reduce sales in stores where self-checkouts have closed.
“These efforts will ultimately hurt self-checkouts,” said Nate Rose, vice president of the California Grocers Assn. “We’re seeing a worst-case scenario where a number of grocers have decided it’s not worth it to keep the self-checkouts open.”
The California Retailers Assn. said retailers need the freedom to decide for themselves what is the most effective way to combat theft.
“The problem with the Long Beach ordinance is that it’s very restrictive,” said Rachel Michelin, president of the association. “I think we’re going to see some unintended consequences.”
Union leader Bell said grocery companies oppose the ordinance because they don’t want to hire more staff or increase the work hours of their current staff. While stores may want to avoid hiring more people amid a steady increase in minimum wage, they may find that being forced to hire more people actually boosts sales and efficiency.
“It should be better for customers,” he said. “And that should actually improve business profitability.”
Lisa Adams comes to Long Beach from Utah every month with her husband to sail their boat. She doesn’t have easy access to self-checkouts and hopes they return soon, but they understand the need to combat theft in the city.
She witnessed the theft problem.
“It was chaotic and loud,” she said. “This guy was pretending to call his stuff, then he reserved it for the door.”
