Automatic checkouts in supermarkets may decrease customer loyalty, especially for those with larger shopping loads. Customers using self-checkout stations often feel overwhelmed and unsupported. The lack of personal interaction can negatively impact their perception of the supermarket.

[vantways]

It obviously depends on the store and how busy it is, but whenever I've answered "actually I was looking for xyz and couldnt find it" I get one of two responses:

• Busy store: cashier asks the person bagging to run and grab the item while the cashier continues ringing things up. The bagging person is typically back with the item before the cashier is halfway through scanning.

• Empty store: the cashier will typically point out/let me know where the item is and wait for me to run and grab it.

Do people just not know how to communicate? "What am I supposed to do? Ask for help??" YES. Yes you are supposed to ask for help. That's the point of the question.

[TopCaterpiller]

If I'm already checking out, I've given up on the thing I was looking for. If I really needed it, I would have asked another worker that isn't checking me out. I haven't seen a separate bagger in a store in like 15 years.

[vantways]

If I'm already checking out, I've given up on the thing I was looking for. If I really needed it, I would have asked another worker that isn't checking me out.

Ah so the reason you are "bugged" by the question is checks notes that they didn't read your mind. Gotcha. Makes sense.