Self-Checkout Regulations Spread As NY's A11501 Signals A New Approach

A new New York proposal, Bill A11501, would require discounts for customers using self-checkout, arguing that scanning, bagging and payment work shifts from cashiers to shoppers without compensation. The bill defines a “food retail establishment” as supermarkets, grocery stores or other food retailers, with no minimum store size or limits on the number of kiosks. Backed by complaints about lost cashier labor, it would set a pricing obligation restaurants and grocers with slim margins may struggle to meet—food retailers average net profit margins of 2.1%, according to the Food Industry Association. Introduced in late May, it stalled without a committee or floor vote and would need reintroduction to pass both legislative chambers.