M&S shoppers have been left divided over its decision to roll out new conveyor belt checkouts across its stores. The posh grocer surprised customers earlier this week when it said 45 of its Food Halls would soon be fitted with "assisted belted checkouts". 2 The retailer began rolling out ‘assisted belted checkouts’ to 45 of its Food Halls Credit: CLX 2 The self-checkouts are designed to accommodate larger trolley shops Credit: CLX These new self-service devices are as big as traditional manned checkouts and include a conveyor belt alongside space to fit a trolley.
Shoppers in M&S's London Colney branch have been able to use the technology since 2022. Its branch in Shoreham has also been fitted with six of the larger self-checkouts. But news of the roll-out has sparked concerns from some shoppers who miss human interaction at the till.
Read more on money NO KIDDING Over 214k parents risk losing thousands of pounds by not claiming benefit CHILLY TIMES Full list of first postcodes eligible for this year's cold weather payments Taking to social media, one shopper said this: "I always head for a human [when shopping], but it’s getting harder to find one, and I’m the kiss of death on self-service." Others have grown frustrated with having to do the job of cashier when they want to do the weekly shop. Commenting online another shopper moaned: "Looks like I won't be shopping in M&S anymore if I have to do the work myself.
" Their complaints were echoed by another M&S customer .