Long Beach, California, September 2, 2025
News Summary
Beginning September 21, 2025, Long Beach, California, will enforce the ‘Safe Stores are Staffed Stores’ ordinance. This regulation mandates that grocery and drug stores staff self-checkout stations to mitigate rising theft and enhance customer service. Each store must have one employee for every three self-checkout kiosks and maintain at least one traditional checkout available. The initiative is in response to a 16% increase in retail theft, aiming to balance automation with required human oversight while also limiting self-checkout transactions to 15 items. Non-compliance could result in fines of up to $2,500 per hour.
Long Beach, California will implement a new ordinance requiring staffing at self-checkout stations in grocery and drug stores beginning September 21, 2025. The ordinance, named the “Safe Stores are Staffed Stores,” aims to combat rising retail theft and improve customer service. Under this new regulation, for every three self-checkout stations, at least one employee must be present to supervise activities during operational hours.
Additionally, store owners must ensure that at least one traditional staffed checkout lane remains operational whenever self-checkout stations are in use. The ordinance also limits self-checkout purchases to a maximum of 15 items per transaction. Items that require age verification, such as alcohol and tobacco, or those with anti-theft security tags cannot be processed through self-checkout without authorization from an employee.
The initiative comes in response to a worrying 16% increase in petty theft reported in Long Beach between 2023 and 2024. Major retailers affected by this policy, including Walmart and Target, will need to adjust their self-checkout operations to comply with the new requirements. Proponents argue that the ordinance will enhance customer service and reduce theft, while opponents raise concerns about the potential increase in operational costs and question the effectiveness of the measure.
Retailers within Long Beach are expected to view this ordinance as a case study in balancing automation with necessary human oversight in retail environments. Stores that fail to comply with the staffing requirements could face fines of up to $2,500 for each hour a violation occurs. This ordinance specifically applies to grocery and drug stores that are larger than 15,000 square feet, as well as those over 85,000 square feet that dedicate at least 10% of their sales floor to food products.
Support for the ordinance has been significant, coming from grocery workers, union representatives, and various political figures. Conversely, business groups have voiced their opposition, arguing that the additional staffing requirements will create a financial burden. The Long Beach City Council’s initial vote on the matter was 5-2 in favor of drafting the ordinance, although some council members have expressed concerns regarding the evidence supporting its effectiveness in reducing crime.
The implementation of this ordinance signifies a pioneering step in regulating self-checkout operations within the retail sector, raising questions about the balance between technological advancements and human oversight in store environments.
Summary of Key Features:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Effective Date | September 21, 2025 |
| Ordinance Name | Safe Stores are Staffed Stores |
| Staffing Requirement | 1 employee per every 3 self-checkout stations |
| Checkout Lane Requirements | At least one traditional checkout lane must remain open when self-checkout is in use |
| Item Limit | 15 items max per self-checkout transaction |
| Age Verification Requirements | Items requiring age verification cannot be processed without employee authorization |
| Fine for Non-Compliance | Up to $2,500 for each hour of violation |
| Applicable Stores | Stores larger than 15,000 sqft and certain larger stores over 85,000 sqft with food sales |
FAQ Section
Frequently Asked Questions about the Self-Checkout Staffing Ordinance
What is the purpose of the Safe Stores are Staffed Stores ordinance?
The ordinance aims to combat retail theft and improve customer service in grocery and drug stores by requiring dedicated staff supervising self-checkout stations.
When will the ordinance take effect?
The ordinance will take effect on September 21, 2025.
What is the staffing requirement for self-checkout stations?
There must be at least one employee for every three self-checkout stations during operational hours.
Are traditional checkout lanes still required?
Yes, at least one traditional staffed checkout lane must remain open whenever self-checkout stations are active.
Can customers use self-checkouts for all items?
No, self-checkouts are limited to a maximum of 15 items per transaction and certain items like alcohol and tobacco require employee authorization to process.
What are the penalties for non-compliance with the ordinance?
Stores can face fines of up to $2,500 for each hour they fail to meet the staffing requirements.
Which types of stores are affected by this ordinance?
The ordinance applies to stores larger than 15,000 square feet and those over 85,000 square feet that have at least 10% of their sales floor dedicated to food.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Long Beach Post
- JD Supra
- The Sun
- KTLA
- Mercury News
- Wikipedia: Self-checkout
- Google Search: Self-checkout staffing ordinance Long Beach
- Google Scholar: Long Beach self-checkout ordinance
- Encyclopedia Britannica: self-checkout
- Google News: self-checkout staffing
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LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER The LOS ANGELES STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELosAngeles.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, and beyond, specializing in "news you can use" with coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while delivering top reporting on high-value events like the Academy Awards, LA Auto Show, and Los Angeles Marathon, extending coverage to key organizations such as the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, plus leading businesses in entertainment and technology like Warner Bros. and SpaceX, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREAnaheim.com , HERECostaMesa.com , HEREHuntingtonBeach.com , and HERESantaAna.com , providing comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape. HERE Anaheim HERE Beverly Hills HERE Coronado HERE Costa Mesa HERE Hollywood HERE Huntington Beach HERE Long Beach HERE Los Angeles HERE Mission Viejo HERE San Diego HERE Santa Ana
