A family member is friends with many of the staff at their store. The inside word, not promoted publicly, is "shrinkage".

They are losing enough that the cost of remodeling out the self-checkout lanes, and the cost of additional staff, is still seen as a net savings.

For my part, I'm glad for the change. Their staff are competent and helpful, and it's a union shop: Wages at least for long-term employees seem to be living wages, people actually get vacations, etc.

They still employ young adults, providing initial jobs and e.g. jobs for people in the local community college.

And staff, while hardly idle, have enough time and the freedom to e.g. provide enough boxes for my friend's recent move. (Already collected in a shopping cart as they had worked, so it really didn't cost them much if any productivity to do so.)