OT: Bagging groceries

[newell138]

I’ve been spending the week in Devon PA and obviously lots of money around here. I’m loving the Whole Foods across the street as well don’t have one anywhere near me so first time really. They’re big on your own bags here too but I see a lot of people here who hand their bags to the cashier so they can do it. I’ve never seen this form of laziness so was wondering if it’s a Whole Foods thing or a rich local thing or was this an anomaly? Anyone else see this? The one woman just sat staring at her phone while the girl scanned and bagged, granted she was a husky gal so maybe she was just too tired

 

[T2Kplus20]

I’ve been spending the week in Devon PA and obviously lots of money around here. I’m loving the Whole Foods across the street as well don’t have one anywhere near me so first time really. They’re big on your own bags here too but I see a lot of people here who hand their bags to the cashier so they can do it. I’ve never seen this form of laziness so was wondering if it’s a Whole Foods thing or a rich local thing or was this an anomaly? Anyone else see this? The one woman just sat staring at her phone while the girl scanned and bagged, granted she was a husky gal so maybe she was just too tired

We go to Whole Foods quite often (and one is opening soon in our town, yeah!). I believe most cashiers are taught to bag themselves unless the customer wants to do so. Definitely different than ShopRite. LOL!

 

[LETSGORU91]

... she was a husky gal so maybe she was just too tired

Lazy and husky. Ultimate recipe for her future increase in heft.

 

[Anon1753410373]

The question is how many of you use the manual (no cashier) lane?

 

[Kbe4]

The question is how many of you use the manual (no cashier) lane?

Never have...never will.
Several cashiers have told me that the company expects a certain amount of theft with the self-check outs. Not sure how much money they can be saving as they sure as hell don't pay their cashiers that well.

 

[ClassOf02v.2]

My local tax collector was arrested for shoplifting by using self checkout lanes and not scanning/paying for many items at Wegmans. Couldn’t happen to a nicer ‘see you next Tuesday.’ @Rutgers Chris probably remembers who I’m talking about.

 

[RUTGERS95]

Never have...never will.
Several cashiers have told me that the company expects a certain amount of theft with the self-check outs. Not sure how much money they can be saving as they sure as hell don't pay their cashiers that well.

agree, never will. I bag my own stuff however

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

I’ve been spending the week in Devon PA and obviously lots of money around here. I’m loving the Whole Foods across the street as well don’t have one anywhere near me so first time really. They’re big on your own bags here too but I see a lot of people here who hand their bags to the cashier so they can do it. I’ve never seen this form of laziness so was wondering if it’s a Whole Foods thing or a rich local thing or was this an anomaly? Anyone else see this? The one woman just sat staring at her phone while the girl scanned and bagged, granted she was a husky gal so maybe she was just too tired

Do you realize that cashiers did this pre-pandemic?

 

[Rutgers Chris]

My local tax collector was arrested for shoplifting by using self checkout lanes and not scanning/paying for many items at Wegmans. Couldn’t happen to a nicer ‘see you next Tuesday.’ @Rutgers Chris probably remembers who I’m talking about.

Lol, very familiar with her work. I think most of the township enjoyed seeing that.

There’s been some good self checkout scams I read. One guy was scanning expensive Pokémon cards with packets of taco seasoning hidden underneath, paying the taco seasoning price instead of the cards

 

[newell138]

Do you realize that cashiers did this pre-pandemic?

Of course they used to but they also used to supply bags. It’s the concept of handing your bags to the cashier so she can stop scanning to bag your stuff while you sit on your phone waiting

 

[fsng]

agree, never will. I bag my own stuff however

Why?

Just curious. My local stores have made them all but impossible not to use.

 

[Kbe4]

Why?

Just curious. My local stores have made them all but impossible not to use.

If that happens in my local stores I'll find somewhere else to shop.
I've gotten friendly over the years with quite a few of the cashiers at my local places. They're mostly elderly women whose husbands passed and they need the job to pay the bills. I'll not be a part of them losing their jobs.

 

[-RUFAN4LIFE-]

Of course they used to but they also used to supply bags. It’s the concept of handing your bags to the cashier so she can stop scanning to bag your stuff while you sit on your phone waiting

Reusable bags were around for years prior to the pandemic. I've been using them since the 2010s because our local ShopRite at the time was practically giving them away at the time or selling them for as little as a quarter. Either the cashier or a bagger would do it pre-pandemic. I rarely bagged even though I preferred to do it like I do now because I like to pack them a certain way.

 

[DJ Spanky]

Not sure where the "bagging your own groceries" idea came from, but pre-pandemic the cashier or a designated bagger always did it. Of course, now that stores have to pay $732/hr as mandated by Murphy (or whatever the minimum wage is now) stores are counting on more self-check out lanes so they can hire less cashiers.

 

[Vlife]

 

[knightfan7]

I bag my stuff. Cashiers usually ask if I want them to help but I'm half way done by the time they ring everything up anyway.

 

[newell138]

I bag my stuff. Cashiers usually ask if I want them to help but I'm half way done by the time they ring everything up anyway.

I also am particular about how I bag. The new thing on weekends now is they have some little league team collecting donations by having some 8 year old bag my groceries. I pay them to move out of the way

 

[Caliknight]

I’ve been spending the week in Devon PA and obviously lots of money around here. I’m loving the Whole Foods across the street as well don’t have one anywhere near me so first time really. They’re big on your own bags here too but I see a lot of people here who hand their bags to the cashier so they can do it. I’ve never seen this form of laziness so was wondering if it’s a Whole Foods thing or a rich local thing or was this an anomaly? Anyone else see this? The one woman just sat staring at her phone while the girl scanned and bagged, granted she was a husky gal so maybe she was just too tired

Mostly in wealthy areas here but really most places except the hood.

 

[Caliknight]

Never have...never will.
Several cashiers have told me that the company expects a certain amount of theft with the self-check outs. Not sure how much money they can be saving as they sure as hell don't pay their cashiers that well.

Being a cashier isn’t a career. They shouldn’t be paid well. It’s a low level job that generates no revenue.

 

[RUTGERS95]

Why?

Just curious. My local stores have made them all but impossible not to use.

don't like them and always seems to take longer. I hate the multiple click throughs various asks when done. just my preference besides, nothing wrong with saying good morning, how's your day, hello and good bye to someone.

 

[RUTGERS95]

If that happens in my local stores I'll find somewhere else to shop.
I've gotten friendly over the years with quite a few of the cashiers at my local places. They're mostly elderly women whose husbands passed and they need the job to pay the bills. I'll not be a part of them losing their jobs.

my view as well plus nothing wrong with a little civility in the community with small talk while checking out.

 

[Anon1753410373]

agree, never will. I bag my own stuff however

If that happens in my local stores I'll find somewhere else to shop.
I've gotten friendly over the years with quite a few of the cashiers at my local places. They're mostly elderly women whose husbands passed and they need the job to pay the bills. I'll not be a part of them losing their jobs.

For me - I have to pay the same amount to do all my own work. I would be inclined use if they discounted me 3-5% on my bill…but they don’t so I wait in line to support the job of my local hs senior or retiree…

 

[T2Kplus20]

The question is how many of you use the manual (no cashier) lane?

Probably do so about 75% of the time. We mostly use ShopRite at home delivery, so our in-between shopping runs are normally for a few items.

 

[newell138]

Anyone else actually enjoy grocery shopping? I find it quite entertaining especially if I’ve enjoyed a gummy beforehand

 

[fg7321]

On the subject of bagging and bags

To The Moon And Back: The Tremendous Success of New Jersey’s Single-Use Bag Law | New Jersey Clean Communities

njclean.org

This one financed by the plastic industry

New Jersey’s Bag Ban Backfired. Repeal It—and Cut Waste the Smart Way. - New Jersey Policy Institute

By Wells Winegar, Executive Director, New Jersey Policy Institute (NJPI) Walk into any New Jersey kitchen and open the pantry. You’ll probably find a teetering stack of “reusable” shopping bags—many of them delivered with curbside orders you never asked for and will never use up. That pile tells...

newjerseypolicyinstitute.org

https://www.nj.com/opinion/2024/02/dont-believe-bogus-studies-njs-plastic-bag-ban-works-editorial.html

 

[willisneverrana43]

You guys do the grocery shopping?

 

[MulletCork]

Back around 1992 my first job was bagging groceries at Laneco!!
Used to get a tip or two if I pushed the cart to an older lady's car. What a time.

 

[rcube1994]

If that happens in my local stores I'll find somewhere else to shop.
I've gotten friendly over the years with quite a few of the cashiers at my local places. They're mostly elderly women whose husbands passed and they need the job to pay the bills. I'll not be a part of them losing their jobs.

So you dont use Amazon either?

 

[MADHAT1]

It used to be high school and college students doing part time employment mainly bagged groceries at checkout, then the elderly started bagging, now self checkout and cashiers are the way what you buy get bagged..
Some feel cashiers are not worth the money they are paid because they are unskilled workers that really don't do nothing to help the store they work at profit margin .
As for those over-payed cashiers being made to earn their pay by bagging your groceries they should be happy to have such a good paying job for just standing there checking out groceries
from a google search
Grocery store cashiers are responsible for efficiently processing customer transactions, handling payments (cash, card, SNAP EBT), and scanning items accurately. They provide friendly customer service, bag groceries, manage coupons, resolve complaints, and maintain a clean, organized checkout area. They also often handle returns, age-restricted items, and balance their cash drawers
Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Transaction Processing: Scanning items, weighing produce, operating the POS system, and processing various payment methods including cash, credit, debit, checks, coupons, and electronic benefits (SNAP/WIC). [1, 2, 3]
• Customer Service: Greeting customers, answering questions about product location or pricing, and resolving complaints politely. [1, 2, 3]
• Cash Handling & Security: Balancing the cash drawer at the start and end of shifts, ensuring accuracy, and adhering to company policies regarding cash, security, and sales of restricted items like alcohol or tobacco. [1, 2, 3]
• Front-End Maintenance: Bagging groceries, maintaining a clean and stocked workstation, and sometimes assisting with merchandise restocking, especially in smaller stores
• Important Skills
  • Accuracy & Mathematics: Essential for handling money, scanning items correctly, and processing transactions.
  • Customer Service: Friendly, patient demeanor to ensure a positive shopping experience.
  • Physical Stamina: Ability to stand for long periods and handle, lift, or move items.
  • Efficiency: Ability to work quickly in a fast-paced environment, especially during peak hours

As of April 2026, the average grocery store cashier in New Jersey earns approximately $13.67 to $16.97 per hour,

• Hourly Range: While averages hover around $13-$17, some, like those at Wegmans, reported averages of roughly $17.14 per hour.
• Top Employers: ShopRite cashiers in NJ average around $16.95 per hour.

 

[dconifer0]

Anyone else actually enjoy grocery shopping? I find it quite entertaining especially if I’ve enjoyed a gummy beforehand

You are killin' it in this thread, Newell!

 

[Kbe4]

It used to be high school and college students doing part time employment mainly bagged groceries at checkout, then the elderly started bagging, now self checkout and cashiers are the way what you buy get bagged..
Some feel cashiers are not worth the money they are paid because they are unskilled workers that really don't do nothing to help the store they work at profit margin .
As for those over-payed cashiers being made to earn their pay by bagging your groceries they should be happy to have such a good paying job for just standing there checking out groceries
from a google search
Grocery store cashiers are responsible for efficiently processing customer transactions, handling payments (cash, card, SNAP EBT), and scanning items accurately. They provide friendly customer service, bag groceries, manage coupons, resolve complaints, and maintain a clean, organized checkout area. They also often handle returns, age-restricted items, and balance their cash drawers
Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Transaction Processing: Scanning items, weighing produce, operating the POS system, and processing various payment methods including cash, credit, debit, checks, coupons, and electronic benefits (SNAP/WIC). [1, 2, 3]
• Customer Service: Greeting customers, answering questions about product location or pricing, and resolving complaints politely. [1, 2, 3]
• Cash Handling & Security: Balancing the cash drawer at the start and end of shifts, ensuring accuracy, and adhering to company policies regarding cash, security, and sales of restricted items like alcohol or tobacco. [1, 2, 3]
• Front-End Maintenance: Bagging groceries, maintaining a clean and stocked workstation, and sometimes assisting with merchandise restocking, especially in smaller stores
• Important Skills
  • Accuracy & Mathematics: Essential for handling money, scanning items correctly, and processing transactions.
  • Customer Service: Friendly, patient demeanor to ensure a positive shopping experience.
  • Physical Stamina: Ability to stand for long periods and handle, lift, or move items.
  • Efficiency: Ability to work quickly in a fast-paced environment, especially during peak hours

As of April 2026, the average grocery store cashier in New Jersey earns approximately $13.67 to $16.97 per hour,

• Hourly Range: While averages hover around $13-$17, some, like those at Wegmans, reported averages of roughly $17.14 per hour.
• Top Employers: ShopRite cashiers in NJ average around $16.95 per hour.

How many hours do the cashiers work at these stores ? Are they full-time employees ?

 

[LeapinLou]

Anyone else actually enjoy grocery shopping? I find it quite entertaining especially if I’ve enjoyed a gummy beforehand

I like to shop and I always bag my own groceries. If there is a fair amount of theft at self checkout, I'm surprised that's still more cost effective than having human cashiers.

No gummies for me. I shop on Sunday mornings so I'm usually hungover, lol.

 

[newell138]

I like to shop and I always bag my own groceries. If there is a fair amount of theft at self checkout, I'm surprised that's still more cost effective than having human cashiers.

No gummies for me. I shop on Sunday mornings so I'm usually hungover, lol.

no hangovers with gummies!

 

[MADHAT1]

How many hours do the cashiers work at these stores ? Are they full-time employees ?

From what I can gather, many are part time and don't receive the benefits full time employees do.
Those that are full time have other duties, like stacking shelves, clean up and changing inventory pricing along with checkout.
google search found this
Yes, it is accurate that in 2026, there are significantly more part-time cashiers than full-time employees working checkout at grocery stores. [1]
Data indicates that about 77% of all cashiers work in part-time roles. [1, 2]

Why Grocery Stores Use More Part-Time Cashiers

• Labor Costs & Benefits: Part-time staff typically do not qualify for full benefits (like health care, retirement plans, or paid time off), reducing overhead costs for the employer. [1, 2, 3]

Full time workers receive benefit package
Some retailers offer limited medical, dental, and vision insurance to part-time employees who meet specific hour requirements.
Full-time grocery workers in New Jersey typically receive comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) matching, and paid time off (vacation/sick leave), often enhanced by union contracts.

 

[RU#1fan]

I’ve been spending the week in Devon PA and obviously lots of money around here. I’m loving the Whole Foods across the street as well don’t have one anywhere near me so first time really. They’re big on your own bags here too but I see a lot of people here who hand their bags to the cashier so they can do it. I’ve never seen this form of laziness so was wondering if it’s a Whole Foods thing or a rich local thing or was this an anomaly? Anyone else see this? The one woman just sat staring at her phone while the girl scanned and bagged, granted she was a husky gal so maybe she was just too tired

Bag yourself…lazy folks.
We have assorted reusable bags for our trips.

 

[RU#1fan]

Back around 1992 my first job was bagging groceries at Laneco!!
Used to get a tip or two if I pushed the cart to an older lady's car. What a time.

My first Job was pushing carts and bagging groceries at the A&P in Yorktown Heights,NY

 

[RUPete90]

I prefer to bag my own and love the switch to reusable bags. It's funny to recall how many on this board were bitching about that like little kids. Anyway, sometimes my supermarket has adults with special needs doing the bagging, which is fine. You just need to be organized when you place your stuff on the conveyor. I think you can tell I'm a bit of a pain in the a$$ about bagging.

 

[yesrutgers01]

Being a cashier isn’t a career. They shouldn’t be paid well. It’s a low level job that generates no revenue.

I am not sure if I ever met an AH as big as you are.

While- cashier may not be a career goal- it is a way of life, food and keeping the lights on for millions of people.

 

[Kbe4]

I am not sure if I ever met an AH as big as you are.

While- cashier may not be a career goal- it is a way of life, food and keeping the lights on for millions of people.

So, so true.
He's #1.

 

[Caliknight]

I am not sure if I ever met an AH as big as you are.

While- cashier may not be a career goal- it is a way of life, food and keeping the lights on for millions of people.

And? They are paid for the work they do and the value they provide a business. I’m sorry you can handle economic reality. I bet you’ve never tipped one in your life your life you care so much. Cheapskate.