Safeway Is Closing Self Checkout Machines Across Several California Stores Amid Rising Retail Theft

The rise in retail crime in California is taking its toll on businesses. In a recent move, some Safeway stores in the Bay Area have removed the self-checkout option, which means shoppers will no longer have the option to pay for goods at a self-service kiosk. Safeway issued a statement to media outlets confirming the removal of some of its self-checkout machines in stores across the county. The company, however, did not say which particular stores would be affected or how many. The company cited the escalating retail theft as a reason, which has resulted in significant losses as too many customers steal items when using self-checkout....