Grocery Self-Checkout Machines Get More Staff in California Bill

Major grocery stores and pharmacies in California would have to limit self-checkout lanes to purchases of 10 items or fewer under union-backed legislation.

The bill (SB 1446) would also require at least one employee for every two self-checkout stations to boost staffing and curb theft, an issue state lawmakers face mounting pressure to combat.

Shoplifting has become a major issue in the state’s politics, with Walmart Inc., Target Corp.,and Home Depot Inc. joining other retailers in funding a proposed ballot measure that would increase criminal penalties for people convicted of retail theft more than twice.

The ...