Overview
- A Netto branch on Schönhauser Allee in Berlin now lets only customers with a registered Netto Plus or Payback account use self‑checkout in a trial to cut theft.
- Industry researchers estimate about €3 billion in retail losses from customer theft in 2024 and say stealing at self‑checkouts can run roughly 30% higher than at staffed lanes.
- Posts on Reddit and Threads have reignited a public fight over whether stealing at self‑checkout is ever acceptable, with many users warning that shrink leads to higher prices for everyone.
- Retail groups say they are evaluating artificial intelligence to spot manipulation at self‑checkout, calling it a potential tool to prevent losses.
- Self‑checkout has spread quickly in Germany, now in more than 11,000 stores, as retailers cite staff shortages and unions warn the systems may be used to cut labor costs.