NYC Bill Would Cap Self-Checkout at 15 Items, Impact Costco and Major Retail Chains

A new bill introduced in New York City could significantly change how Americans use self-checkout, as lawmakers push to limit items and increase staffing at kiosks in an effort to curb theft and improve safety.

The proposal, introduced by Councilmember Amanda Farías, would require food retailers and pharmacies to cap self-checkout purchases at 15 items and assign at least one employee for every three kiosks. Stores that fail to comply could face civil penalties of at least $100 per day. While the bill does not name Costco directly, its rules could apply to large warehouse and grocery chains operating in the city, including Costco, Walmart, and Target locations that use self-checkout systems.

“We’ve seen the consequences of removing workers from these spaces: increased retail theft, less oversight, fewer protections for both workers and customers, and generally decreased safety,” Farías said while introducing the bill.

New York’s proposal is part of a broader trend across the United States, where cities and states are experimenting with limits on self-checkout. Long Beach, California, has already enacted a similar ordinance with item caps and staffing requirements, while Rhode Island and Massachusetts are considering comparable measures.

At the same time, retailers are adjusting their own strategies. Costco has begun testing a faster checkout system that relies on employees scanning items in carts before customers reach the register, aiming to reduce errors and speed up transactions as concerns over self-checkout theft continue to grow.