Discount retail giant Home Bargains is facing a fierce customer revolt as shoppers threaten to abandon the chain over its controversial new self-service checkouts.
Frustrated customers have taken to social media to voice their displeasure, with many declaring the new automated tills have made their shopping experience "absolutely awful" and vowing to take their business elsewhere.
Customer Backlash Reaches Boiling Point
The discontent emerged after one shopper's viral post on the Extreme Coupling and Bargains UK Facebook group, where they lamented the replacement of traditional checkouts with self-service machines. The post quickly garnered hundreds of comments from equally frustrated shoppers.
"I was in Home Bargains today and they have taken out the proper tills and replaced them with self-service," the customer wrote. "The whole experience was absolutely awful. I for one will not be going in there again."
Why Are Shoppers So Angry?
The complaints highlight several key issues with the new system:
- Increased waiting times despite promises of faster service
- Technical glitches requiring staff intervention
- Difficulty scanning bulky or irregular items
- Lack of human interaction that many shoppers value
- Age verification delays for restricted items
One particularly frustrated customer commented: "I hate them with a passion. I refuse to use them. If there's no proper checkout, I leave my shopping and walk out."
The Retail Trend Sparking Nationwide Debate
Home Bargains isn't alone in facing criticism over the move toward automation. Major retailers including Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Boots have all encountered similar backlash as they reduce staffed tills in favour of self-service options.
While retailers argue that automated checkouts improve efficiency and reduce costs, many customers feel the changes prioritize corporate profits over customer experience. The debate has sparked broader conversations about the role of automation in retail and its impact on both shoppers and employees.
As one disgruntled shopper perfectly summarised: "It's getting out of hand now."
