Long Beach, California, September 2, 2025
News Summary
Starting September 21, 2025, Long Beach, California, will implement the ‘Safe Stores are Staffed Stores’ ordinance. This law mandates grocery and drug stores to have dedicated employees overseeing self-checkout stations to combat a 16% rise in petty theft reported from 2023 to 2024. For every three self-checkout stations, one employee must be present, and purchases will be limited to 15 items. Major retailers like Walmart and Target are expected to comply, facing fines up to $2,500 for non-compliance.
Long Beach, California will implement a new ordinance starting September 21, 2025, mandating grocery and drug stores to staff self-checkout stations with dedicated employees in an effort to combat rising retail theft. Dubbed the “Safe Stores are Staffed Stores” initiative, this regulation aims to address a significant 16% increase in petty theft reported in the city between 2023 and 2024.
The new rules stipulate that for every three self-checkout stations in operation, at least one employee must supervise the area. This presence will be required during all operational hours, ensuring that a traditional staffed checkout lane remains open whenever self-checkouts are in use. Furthermore, purchases made through self-checkout will be restricted to a maximum of 15 items per transaction. Items requiring age verification, such as alcohol and tobacco, as well as products with anti-theft security tags, will not be eligible for self-checkout without an employee’s authorization.
Major retail chains, including Walmart and Target, will be required to adjust their self-checkout operations to comply with this ordinance. Compliance violations may result in fines of up to $2,500 for each hour that stores fail to meet the staffing requirements.
This municipal initiative applies specifically to businesses larger than 15,000 square feet that primarily sell groceries, as well as any retail space above 85,000 square feet with at least 10% of their sales floor dedicated to food items. The measure is aimed at enhancing customer service while taking proactive steps to reduce theft occurrences.
Supporters of the ordinance include grocery workers, union representatives, and various local political figures who believe these staffing requirements will not only aid in minimizing theft but also improve the overall shopping experience for consumers. However, critics have raised concerns regarding the potential financial burden on businesses and questioned the effectiveness of the law in actually curbing theft rates.
The Long Beach City Council initially endorsed the ordinance with a vote of 5-2 in favor of drafting it, though some council members expressed skepticism about whether the evidence sufficiently backed its proposed impact on crime reduction. Retailers in the area and beyond will likely observe Long Beach’s approach as a case study on how to balance automation with human oversight in their operations moving forward.
This ordinance represents a pioneering step in regulating self-checkout operations within retail environments. As retailers adapt to these changes, it remains to be seen how these adjustments will manifest in terms of both business operations and consumer reactions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of the new ordinance in Long Beach?
The ordinance aims to reduce retail theft and improve customer service by requiring dedicated staff to supervise self-checkout stations.
When does the ordinance take effect?
The ordinance will be implemented starting September 21, 2025.
What are the staffing requirements for self-checkout stations?
For every three self-checkout stations, at least one employee must supervise them during operational hours.
What restrictions will be placed on self-checkout purchases?
Transactions at self-checkout stations will be limited to a maximum of 15 items, and items requiring age verification or security tags cannot be processed without employee approval.
Who is affected by this ordinance?
The ordinance applies to grocery and drug stores larger than 15,000 square feet that primarily sell groceries, and to stores over 85,000 square feet with at least 10% of sales floor dedicated to food.
What are the penalties for non-compliance?
Stores that fail to comply with the staffing requirements could face fines of up to $2,500 for each hour of non-compliance.
Key Features of the Ordinance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Ordinance Name | Safe Stores are Staffed Stores |
| Effective Date | September 21, 2025 |
| Self-Checkout Staffing | 1 employee for every 3 self-checkout stations |
| Maximum Items | 15 items per transaction |
| Compliance Penalty | Fines up to $2,500 per hour |
| Applicable Stores | Grocery and drug stores >15,000 sq. ft. or >85,000 sq. ft. with 10% food sales |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Long Beach Post
- KTLA
- JD Supra
- Mercury News
- The Sun
- Wikipedia: Self-checkout
- Google Search: Self-checkout staffing laws
- Google Scholar: Self-checkout
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Self-checkout
- Google News: Long Beach self-checkout ordinance
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH
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