Henry Chisholm (CCN 420) justifiably complains of Woolworths’ termination of 15-item-or-less fast lanes.
However, he suggests that “many elderly shoppers will not use the self-serve checkouts as they are confused and don’t fully understand how they work.”
That’s not the reason this elderly shopper refuses.
I understand how to do it (if not the electronics inside).
My reason is that checkout sales have been an important source of employment for many middle-aged women, particularly those without formal post-school qualifications, wishing to return to the paid workforce.
As the jobs are pulled, so is this avenue back diminished.
Indeed, in spite of having some Woolworths shares, at Erina I have latterly chosen to walk around to Coles, after previously having to stand for nearly 15 minutes to purchase a few items at Woolworths.
There is more to business than the bottom line, and if enough customers take their business elsewhere, even that could suffer.
Email, Dec 17
Sonnie Hopkins, Tascott