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Self-service checkout at the store exit is such a wasted opportunity. In my (non-USA) grocery store I can scan product with my phone while I'm walking through the store and putting them in the cart; afterwards I only have to pay. Not having to take everything from my cart, scan it and put it back saves quite some time, even compared to cashiers scanning. There's also a handheld scanner for people that can't or don't want to use their smartphone.

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I used such a system when I lived in Switzerland, and found it much easier for the reasons you mentioned.

I did have an odd conversation with someone at work who warned me that sometimes they check your basket to make sure you’ve scanned everything before leaving, which I thought was an odd way to tell someone you like to shoplift. Anyway.

We used to have that, at QFC/Kroger funny enough.

They got rid of it because few people used it (I tried it and it was very clunky) and replaced it with more self checkout lanes.

Right, but the issue there seems to be execution, which admittedly non-tech firms dislike investing in.

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