By George Anderson
Safeway in Australia is doing away with its eight items or less express lanes in an attempt to reduce arguments between customers at the checkout, according to the News.com Web site.
The arguments, which can be heard wherever express lanes exist, center on shoppers objecting to others who get in line with more than the specified number of items.
Safeway's solution is to change its express lanes policy to serve only those customers who use shopping baskets.
Moderator's Comment: How should retailers reduce personal conflicts between shoppers on express lanes?
We'd like to see express lanes go the way of the dinosaur. How many businesses can survive by making their most valuable customers wait and watch while others receive preferential treatment? That is what happens every time a person with 12 or less items goes through an express lane while a line builds up with shoppers who have their shopping carts loaded. [George Anderson - Moderator]