Self-checkouts are common in all big (and many medium and small) supermarkets in the UK - the exception being Aldi and Lidl, where queues are often long at the tills.

The self-checkouts are mostly for basket-only shoppers.

It would have been interesting if they'd thrown the self-checkout option into the mix. I suspect people self-scan much slower than a cashier, but given that self-checkouts occupy less space than a full till with conveyor belt, (hence a lot more terminals), I suspect overall they're still faster than using that space for normal tills.

The self-checkouts in the UK don't seem to let you scan stuff as fast as a cashier.

The machines also have a pressure sensor that detects that you have placed items on it after scanning, if you don't allow time for the sensor to settle the machine will give an error and require a cashier to reset it.

Tesco do a "Scan as you Shop" service in some stores that use a handheld laser scanner that allows you to scan whilst you shop.

Interestingly the same scanners can be used for the online order picking.

I don't know the brand of the self checkouts here in New Zealand but they are horrible to use. Lots of options that 1% of people would use, dumb menus and the need for a cashier if buying certain items. It's quicker to queue.

I was specifically referring to Apple self-checkout where you use your own phone to scan the barcode and pay.