Walmart spent years telling shoppers that scanning their own groceries was the future. Now the retailer is quietly ripping out machines, locking down lanes, and in some locations shutting ...

Checkout counters in dozens of Walmart stores across the country have quietly shifted from open access to strictly controlled express lanes, and the reaction from everyday shoppers has been sharp.

Self-checkout was supposed to be the future of fast, frictionless shopping. Instead, it has turned into one of retail's biggest headaches, with theft spiking just as major chains quietly rip out the ...

Checking out from a grocery store used to be a relatively simple thing. You waited in line, then a person scanned your items, you paid — maybe even by writing a check — and then went on your way. Some ...