Tired of rampant thefts that scare away citizens and shoppers, Long Beach is trying to force stores to add staff and reduce reliance on self-checkout.
The coastal city, with a population of about half a million, last month began requiring major food retailers and pharmacies to do more to stop theft. So far, the measures have sparked heated debate and longer queues.
Employees like the new law. Retail chains warn that the restrictions could backfire. Buyers are confused.
The city's “Safe Stores are Staffed Stores” ordinance is the first of its kind in the country. It requires large stores to increase the number of employees in relation to self-checkout kiosks and also places a limit on the number of items and types of merchandise that can be ordered at the self-checkout.
It's the latest flashpoint in a national debate over how to handle what some see as a shoplifting epidemic. This problem is affecting the quality of life of consumers who are tired of witnessing theft or having to face measures to stop it, such as closing 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 supermarket workers.
“The ladies and the cashiers are on the front lines of this,” he said. “There really needs to be security and better staffing for them.”
The city said it passed the ordinance to “promote public safety and prevent retail theft,” citing “hostile and unsafe” conditions. Theft is common and goes unreported at self-checkout, according to the ordinance.
Rampant shoplifting has been a growing problem across the country, forcing stores to beef up security and lock up often-stolen items.
The National Retail Federation estimates that incidents of shoplifting in the U.S. increased 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 large store to have at least one staff member for every three self-checkout stations it uses. Set a limit of 15 items per customer for self-checkout. Meanwhile, any item locked inside a box in the store can no longer be purchased through self-checkout, according to the ordinance.
Because the ordinance will force establishments to hire more people or reduce the number of self-checkout kiosks, the California Grocers Assn. He warned that consumers could end up facing longer lines and higher grocery prices.
In response to the requirements, some Albertsons and Vons in Long Beach have closed their self-checkout lanes.
“We are currently unable to operate our self-checkout lanes…due to a new City of Long Beach ordinance,” a sign for customers at a Vons in downtown Long Beach read.
At Target in Long Beach, five self-checkout stations were open and staffed by one employee. According to the ordinance, the store would need to add another employee to monitor self-checkout if it wanted to open more stations.
Francilla Isaac, a shopper who lives in the area, said she has seen closed self-checkout lanes and longer lines throughout the city.
“I use it a lot when I'm just here to buy a few items,” Isaac said of self-checkout. “But now all the stores are the same, they have it closed.”
Groups representing grocers and retailers such as Target and Walmart said the ordinance will increase labor costs for employers, leading to higher prices on shelves. It will also reduce sales in stores where self-checkout has been closed.
“These efforts will ultimately hurt self-checkout,” said Nate Rose, vice president of the California Grocers Assn. “We're seeing a worst-case scenario unfold, where several grocers have decided it's not worth keeping self-checkout lines open.”
The California Retailers Association. He said retailers need the freedom to decide for themselves what is the most efficient way to deal with theft.
“The problem with the Long Beach ordinance is that it is very restrictive,” said Rachel Michelin, president of the association. “I think we're going to see unintended consequences.”
Union leader Bell said grocery companies oppose the ordinance because they don't want to hire more staff or increase the hours of their current staff. While stores may want to avoid hiring more people amid regular minimum wage increases, they may find that being forced to hire more people actually increases sales and efficiency.
“This should be better for customers,” he said. “And it should actually improve the profitability of companies.”
Lisa Adams comes to Long Beach from Utah every month with her husband to sail their boat. They miss the easy access to self-checkout and hope it returns soon, but they understand the need to stop theft in the city.
She has witnessed the problem of theft firsthand.
“It was chaotic and loud,” he said. “This guy was trying to search his stuff and then he saved it for the door.”
