Long Beach, California, September 2, 2025
News Summary
Beginning September 21, 2025, Long Beach, California, will enforce a new ordinance aimed at reducing retail theft and enhancing customer service at grocery and drug stores. The initiative, named ‘Safe Stores are Staffed Stores,’ mandates that stores have dedicated staff supervising self-checkout stations. For every three stations, one staff member must be present, and there will be limits on the number of items a customer can self-checkout. This measure comes in response to a 16% increase in petty theft in recent years and will apply to larger retail spaces.
Long Beach, California will implement a new ordinance aimed at addressing retail theft and enhancing customer service, starting September 21, 2025. The initiative, named “Safe Stores are Staffed Stores,” mandates that grocery and drug stores supervise self-checkout stations with dedicated staff to combat a notable increase in petty theft in the city.
According to city officials, the ordinance requires that for every three self-checkout stations, at least one employee must be assigned to supervise these stations during operational hours. Additionally, it stipulates that traditional staffed checkout lanes must remain open whenever self-checkout stations are in use. Furthermore, each self-checkout purchase will be limited to a maximum of 15 items. Items that require age verification, such as alcohol and tobacco, or possess anti-theft security tags, cannot be processed through self-checkout without employee authorization.
This ordinance comes in response to a reported 16% increase in petty theft incidents in Long Beach between 2023 and 2024. Major retailers including Walmart and Target will need to adjust their self-checkout operations to comply with these new staffing requirements. Compliance violations can incur fines up to $2,500 for each hour a store fails to meet staffing guidelines.
The initiative applies to grocery and drug stores larger than 15,000 square feet, as well as those exceeding 85,000 square feet that dedicate at least 10% of their sales floor space to food products. Proponents of the ordinance, including grocery workers and union representatives, believe this measure will improve customer service while reducing theft. However, some critics raise concerns about the financial burden placed on businesses and question the ordinance’s effectiveness in deterring theft.
The Long Beach City Council initially voted 5-2 in favor of drafting the ordinance. Some council members expressed skepticism regarding the evidence supporting the effectiveness of the initiative in reducing crime. Nonetheless, the ordinance is considered a pioneering step in regulating self-checkout operations within retail settings. Moreover, retailers across the country may look to Long Beach’s approach as a case study in balancing automation with the necessity of human oversight in retail environments.
This latest measure, focusing on self-checkout locations, highlights the ongoing discussions about retail theft and customer experience amid a rapidly changing retail landscape. In adopting such proactive measures, Long Beach aims to set a precedent that could influence similar initiatives in other municipalities nationwide.
Key Features of Self-Checkout Ordinance in Long Beach
- Effective Date: September 21, 2025
- Ordinance Name: Safe Stores are Staffed Stores
- Supervision Requirement: 1 employee for every 3 self-checkout stations
- Traditional checkout lanes must remain open
- Transaction Limit: Maximum of 15 items per self-checkout
- Items needing age verification must not go through self-checkout without staff
- Compliance Violations: Fines up to $2,500 per hour
- Applicable Stores: Grocery and drug stores over 15,000 square feet
FAQ Section
What is the purpose of the Safe Stores are Staffed Stores ordinance?
The ordinance aims to reduce retail theft and improve customer service by requiring staffing at self-checkout stations.
When will the ordinance take effect?
The ordinance is set to come into effect on September 21, 2025.
What are the staffing requirements for self-checkout stations?
Stores must have at least one employee supervising every three self-checkout stations.
What is the limit on items for self-checkout purchases?
Self-checkout purchases are limited to a maximum of 15 items per transaction.
What penalties will stores face for non-compliance?
Stores may incur fines of up to $2,500 for each hour they fail to meet the staffing requirements.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Retail Insight Network
- JD Supra
- The Sun
- Google Search: Long Beach self-checkout ordinance
- Wikipedia: Self-checkout
Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD
The Hollywood Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHollywood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Hollywood Bowl summer concerts, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, film premieres at TCL Chinese Theatre, and festivals at the Magic Castle. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Visit Hollywood, plus leading businesses in entertainment, dining, and tourism that define the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HEREAnaheim.com, and HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
