> The only thing keeping the stores in the article in business is that they stock only a relatively small amount of cheap merchandise with no secondary market.

> The only thing keeping the stores in the article in business is that they stock only a relatively small amount of cheap merchandise with no secondary market. Their total liability is so low that it's cheaper than hiring staff. Giant Eagle, which is a huge grocery store recently started the exact same thing: https://www.beaconjournal.com/news/20190222/zap-giant-eagle-offers-way-to-nearly-ditch-checkout-line https://www.beaconjournal.com/news/20190222/zap-giant-eagle-... They've been doing it for a year, and have added stores, so contrary to what you say, clearly it works.