4 Answers

Good question.  However, it they put more people to work they would have to pay those people and the prices of groceries would increase.

Then the cost of food would go up to pay for the added clerks. Though I have to say, I've never seen food prices go down because of less staffed registers. 

The idea of self-check-out is similar to self-pump gas stations, ATM,  and buffet restaurants.  The less one has to do for the customer, the less overhead. An employee has to have a schedule and breaks, a paycheck, and more.  Customers are not paying less for doing more for themselves.  It's supposed to be quicker to do it yourself instead of waiting in line for someone to do it for you.  How thoughtful to install self-check out!   

The really sad thing is how many of the people who still have a job in a service industry do not want to provide good customer service.  I'd gladly stand in for any of those people and you can bet I would be the nicest person the customer ever met, EVER.  Without customers, there is no need for "you" to have a job. 

An example really poor customer service happened to me about one month ago. I make the weekly bank deposit for my small church.  There is a branch within walking distance of my home. I go in to the lobby and am assisted by one of the customer service representatives.  We have a pleasant exchange and I leave.
I recently went to a different branch to make the deposit.  The woman who assisted me neglected to greet me with a "hello".  What she DID say, in a frosty voice,  was, "Why aren't you making this deposit outside at the ATM?" 

They have installed auto do it yourself check outs to cut staff "Greed."Oh how i wish for the old corner shop.