Publix debuts self-checkout lanes at Ocoee store
Doug Farrar, 52, is assisted by an employee as he uses the new self-checkout scanners at the Coral Springs Publix. The store debuted four do-it-yourself scanning machines on Oct. 19. (Doreen Christensen, South Florida Sun Sentinel)
OCOEE, Fla. - Now shopping AND scanning will be a pleasure at Publix!
Customers who shop at the Fountains West Publix in Ocoee can now take their Pub Subs through one of the four new self-checkout lanes, scan it, bag it, pay and go.
The do-it-yourself registers have a Publix employee standing by to help customers through the process and explain how to use the machines.
Self-checkout isn't entirely new to Publix. Select stores have had them for awhile with customers offering mixed opinions on social media.
"Love going to @Publix and talking to the self check out employee like we’re best friends. Thank you Publix for hiring such friendly and welcoming people💚," tweeted @mbowman30.
Twitter user @johnsebastian tweeted: "But I like Publix because the cashiers put up with my stupid banter. I hope they don’t become like Lucky’s where they end up not staffing registers and just use self checkout."
Self-checkout lanes also recently popped up at stores in Coconut Creek and Coral Springs.
“We’re always evaluating how to best serve our customers and self-checkout is one of those considerations when we’re looking at remodels,” Nicole Krauss, a Publix spokeswoman, told the Sun Sentinel.
While some customers consider self-checkout a convenience, others seem to miss the face-to-face contact of a smiling Publix cashier.
“I like using them at Home Depot, but at Publix, I like the line because of the nice checkout people," Doug Farrar of Coral Springs told the Sun Sentinel. "It’s a personal experience. But millennials will like it.”
Fox 35 reached out to Publix to find out how many more stores in the Central Florida area could be getting self-checkout lanes. We will update when Publix responds.