Costco

[Pete]

OKC's Costco is adding an optical kiosk.

Under a new law passed earlier this year, big-box retailers can start offering products and eye exams as of Nov. 1 in counties over 300K in population (only OK & Tulsa qualify).

The same capabilities will be rolled out into less-populated counties over the next few decades.

Based on my experience in California, they have really good prices.

[David]

Interesting that the law for that went through anyway, I figured we were done with it when the SQ failed.

[Pete]

Interesting that the law for that went through anyway, I figured we were done with it when the SQ failed.

There were a lot of compromises on both sides.

For example, there will be a gradual rollout and the smallest counties won't have this option until 2042. Yes, 2042.

[David]

Wow. I know that government tends to operate on longer timeframes, but that's a bit much.

[HOT ROD]

Cleveland county is very, very close to 300K as well, maybe just a few years to go. Canadian county is also coming up maybe 10 years. Very long time, if ever, for any other counties in Oklahoma.

I could easily see a Costco in Norman and one in W OKC/Yukon and I want to see an urban Costco in the core. That would probably do it for the OKC metro area though, 4 is a good number.

[Mballard85]

Costco now has 6 self checkout stations.

[Pete]

^

Holy cow.

I didn't think they did that anywhere. Thanks for posting.

[Mballard85]

^

Holy cow.

I didn't think they did that anywhere. Thanks for posting.

They have several cashiers with scan guns to get the large items, it was very smooth.

[Pete]

I know they made the decision to eliminate them from their stores in 2013.

I just read they are installing them in 125 of their almost 800 stores, particularly those with a lot of activity.


BTW, I was told this store is one of their top-performing in the the U.S. and that it has exceeded their projections.

[jonny d]

I know they made the decision to eliminate them from their stores in 2013.

I just read they are installing them in 125 of their almost 800 stores, particularly those with a lot of activity.


BTW, I was told this store is one of their top-performing in the the U.S. and that it has exceeded their projections.

Good to hear! It seems to always be the case, but it is still neat to hear it each time!

[DowntownMan]

I know they made the decision to eliminate them from their stores in 2013.

I just read they are installing them in 125 of their almost 800 stores, particularly those with a lot of activity.


BTW, I was told this store is one of their top-performing in the the U.S. and that it has exceeded their projections.

Seems to be a common trend when retailers finally open up okc locations

[chuck5815]

Wow. Definitely terminating my Membership effective as of tomorrow.

I don’t pay an annual fee to check myself out. Anywhere.

[Pete]

Wow. Definitely terminating my Membership effective as of tomorrow.

I don’t pay an annual fee to check myself out. Anywhere.

They still have traditional checkout lanes.

[ctchandler]

Wow. Definitely terminating my Membership effective as of tomorrow.

I don’t pay an annual fee to check myself out. Anywhere.

Chuck,
It's almost always an option. Personally, I like it because there's no line, but lately I don't like it because of my physical condition.
C. T.

[mugofbeer]

Wow. Definitely terminating my Membership effective as of tomorrow.

I don’t pay an annual fee to check myself out. Anywhere.

Chill! They aren't eliminating the human checkouts. COSTCO has long been missing a lane for quick-hit 1-2 item purchases. Thats all.

[Ward]

Hmm I i was in Costco a couple days ago and saw some new objects all wrapped up in the cashier area. That must be what they were.

I was told by the pharmacy manager that on November 1 there would be an Optical Department, so I assumed those wrapped up things were for it. Wrong. However he also stated that they would have an Optometrist Office there but it would not be inside the building. It would have its own door in the corner of where the carts are kept, in the open area under the roof.

[OKC Guy]

I am one who doesn’t like self checkouts. But there is a difference in how companies deploy them.

1. Company A (think WalMart) installs them to eliminate workers. Yet no price discount. And cashier lines are way long because they only have 2 to 4 staffed lanes out of over 20.

2. Company B (think Crest) installs them as a convenience to those customers who like using them, but not to eliminate workers. They still keep all checkout lines staffed as normal. Can still get fast checkout at cashier lines but have the option of self checkout as a service.

That to me is the difference. It seems to me Costco is only adding them but not deducting normal checkout lanes which I am fine with

[jn1780]

I am one who doesn’t like self checkouts. But there is a difference in how companies deploy them.

1. Company A (think WalMart) installs them to eliminate workers. Yet no price discount. And cashier lines are way long because they only have 2 to 4 staffed lanes out of over 20.

2. Company B (think Crest) installs them as a convenience to those customers who like using them, but not to eliminate workers. They still keep all checkout lines staffed as normal. Can still get fast checkout at cashier lines but have the option of self checkout as a service.

That to me is the difference. It seems to me Costco is only adding them but not deducting normal checkout lanes which I am fine with

Yes, and I would argue not having them was actually costing them business.

The younger generation loves technology and kiosks. Assuming it works right of course. A scan and go app needs to be there next feature they add.

[BBatesokc]

Yes, and I would argue not having them was actually costing them business.

The younger generation loves technology and kiosks. Assuming it works right of course. A scan and go app needs to be there next feature they add.

I agree - and I'm definitely not the 'younger generation' - one of the main reasons the wife and I hardly go to Costco is it's too inconvenient to shop there. With no self-checkout being #2 on that list. #1 being no Scan and Go app.

[Scott5114]

I am one who doesn’t like self checkouts. But there is a difference in how companies deploy them.

1. Company A (think WalMart) installs them to eliminate workers. Yet no price discount. And cashier lines are way long because they only have 2 to 4 staffed lanes out of over 20.

2. Company B (think Crest) installs them as a convenience to those customers who like using them, but not to eliminate workers. They still keep all checkout lines staffed as normal. Can still get fast checkout at cashier lines but have the option of self checkout as a service.

You can tell the difference between the approaches if you go in during the overnight hours. Walmart has all their lanes closed except for one cashier manning the self-checkout area. Crest has the cashier in an actual register checking people out (with the manager helping check people out at the customer service desk as needed).

[BBatesokc]

I am one who doesn’t like self checkouts. But there is a difference in how companies deploy them.

1. Company A (think WalMart) installs them to eliminate workers. Yet no price discount. And cashier lines are way long because they only have 2 to 4 staffed lanes out of over 20.

2. Company B (think Crest) installs them as a convenience to those customers who like using them, but not to eliminate workers. They still keep all checkout lines staffed as normal. Can still get fast checkout at cashier lines but have the option of self checkout as a service.

That to me is the difference. It seems to me Costco is only adding them but not deducting normal checkout lanes which I am fine with

Ehhh. plenty of jobs are routinely eliminated by changes in the market. It's not a 'Walmart' thing. Jobs are lost, and new jobs are created.

Can't think of the last time I even considered using a manned cash register if some sort of self-checkout was an option.

That said, when self-checkout first came about I hated it simply because it often didn't work; price not in the system, you were required to place item in the bagging area, etc. I never experience that these days.

[Pete]

The only reason I prefer Sam's Club -- other than having a closer location -- is their use of self-checkout and the Scan & Go app.

I only had Costco in L.A. and I grew to love it but every trip was an ordeal and the long checkout lines were a big part of that.

I'll go more ofter now that OKC's store has this feature. And it should help shorten the traditional lines as well.


I just don't see the downside.

[Pete]

I've never understood the argument about job loss...

Should we have not had the industrial revolution and still have most the populace performing back-breaking work?

MENIAL jobs are lost and HIGH PAYING jobs are gained. Certainly not in equal numbers but then again it's very inexpensive to get higher education in this country and/or technical training and learn a vocation that will get you higher pay. (Some schools are very expensive but virtually everywhere there are bargain JC's and vo-tech's.)

How many great jobs have been created through technology?

When I started work as a real estate broker in 1982, we still had a typing pool. Yes, a room full of women and typewriters who would crank out our correspondence. Did PC's and email ruin all those great jobs too? Should there have been an uproar when automated switching technology came along and scores of people were no longer required to sit in small rooms and move plugs from one port to another?


It's just such a silly way to look at things, especially with unemployment rates at near all-time lows and the average person living a lifestyle that was reserved for only the upper class just a generation or two ago. And BTW, if you want to get paid $15-$20/hour for unskilled labor, there are many other options in town.

[OKC Guy]

I've never understood the argument about job loss...

Should we have not had the industrial revolution and still have most the populace performing back-breaking work?

MENIAL jobs are lost and HIGH PAYING jobs are gained. Certainly not in equal numbers but then again it's very inexpensive to get higher education in this country and/or technical training and learn a vocation that will get you higher pay. (Some schools are very expensive but virtually everywhere there are bargain JC's and vo-tech's.)

How many great jobs have been created through technology?

When I started work as a real estate broker in 1982, we still had a typing pool. Yes, a room full of women and typewriters who would crank out our correspondence. Did PC's and email ruin all those great jobs too? Should there have been an uproar when automated switching technology came along and scores of people were no longer required to sit in small rooms and move plugs from one port to another?


It's just such a silly way to look at things, especially with unemployment rates at near all-time lows and the average person living a lifestyle that was reserved for only the upper class just a generation or two ago. And BTW, if you want to get paid $15-$20/hour for unskilled labor, there are many other options in town.

I don’t agree with this for a few reasons.

1. Replacing a typewriter with computer is equipment vs equipment. Not the same thing. We are replacing humans with equipment now.

2. Go to any Crest and most of the cashiers and baggers are HS or college age. You say scan eliminates mennial jobs yet to these kids its their first encounter with real work and only way to make extra money. Not all kids can go straight to these so called higher playing jobs. These are great bridge jobs and I hate seeing them eliminated by scanners. If one looks at all the jobs taken away for entry level its harder and harder for youngsters to find first jobs. Most box stores now require 18 years old so we eliminated those entry jobs for high schoolers. Auto scan and kiosks are entrenching into grocery, retail and even fast food.

Where will folks get entry level jobs? Econony is great now but always goes in cycles. Next downturn will hurt lower scale wage workers the most as machines have replaced a lot of jobs.

Plus I think its healthy for people to interact and I always enjoy talking to cashiers and baggers. And its good social interaction for them too since a lot of interaction is now done online or by social media methods. I think these entry jobs help push people to work harder to improve their stock and want to move on to those better jobs. And then once they get those better jobs they appreciate it more having started at the bottom rung of ladder.

Like I posted I am fine with scanners as convenience but hate seeing jobs eliminated by them. Its a ripple effect .

[Pete]

I don’t agree with this for a few reasons.

1. Replacing a typewriter with computer is equipment vs equipment. Not the same thing. We are replacing humans with equipment now.

Both involve new technology that allows someone to easily do something themselves as opposed to having dedicated, relatively unskilled laborers do it for them.

Exact same result.