Self-checkout may encourage theft

retail theft and overall inventory loss ("shrink*") are significantly greater at stores with self-checkout kiosks. "losses at self-checkout lanes can reach approximately 3.5% of sales, significantly higher than traditional cashier-operated checkout lanes." 

stores with self-checkout experience merchandise losses averaging 33% higher than stores with traditional manned checkouts. 

*"Shrink" is the retail industry's term for inventory loss, and it is not synonymous with theft. Accidental missed scans, incorrect product selections, and damaged goods all factor into the figure.