Should stores ditch self-service checkouts?

SO GLAD to read Iwan Stone’s article (Mail) that Booths supermarket has seen sense and done away with almost all the self-service checkouts that hardly anyone wants and are more trouble than they’re worth. Given that Marks & Spencer has made healthy profits lately, can it please employ more staff to man checkouts, as its self-service tills are a nightmare. If Booths start opening stores in the South, it will definitely get my custom and probably that of many others.

A. E. HAYWOOD, Newport, Monmouthshire.

GOOD news that Booths is restoring proper checkouts. I’ve never understood why pound shops selling low-value goods can afford to field friendly checkout staff, yet the supermarkets selling higher-value stuff apparently can’t.

DAVID EDWARDS, Leighton Buzzard, Beds.

WHAT a shame there are no Booths stores down South. By getting rid of self-service checkouts, the firm is clearly happy to listen to what customers want. Can it open some stores south of the Humber?

MR H. WESTGARTH,

Enfield, N. London.

MAY I put a word in defence of self-service checkouts? I shop at Tesco and since the hand-held scanners came into being, over time I have saved a great deal of money. I find that by using a scanner as well as my normal shopping list, I can keep a careful watch on what I spend and shop much more economically. There are always friendly staff on hand if I need advice. I also waste less time, as I can get round faster and don’t have to queue for a till. I personally would be very sad if this system was discontinued. Customers can still, if they so choose, use manned tills.

M. PURDON, stevenage, Herts.