San Francisco Proposal Would Require One Cashier for Every Three Self-Checkout Machines

Shoppers at big San Francisco grocery stores and drugstores could see more staffed registers, or fewer self-checkout kiosks, under a proposal from Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman. The ordinance, introduced at Tuesday's board meeting, would require stores to have one human cashier working for every three self-checkout machines in operation, according to Bay City News.

Who it covers

The rules would apply to grocery stores larger than 10,000 square feet and to drug stores of any size. Bay City News reported that, under the draft ordinance's ratio, as many as five self-checkouts could run with a single cashier on duty. Employees could sue stores that break the rules, and penalties could include compensation for workers and fines of up to $10,000. The Chronicle reported that customers would also be able to sue, and that the plan as described before its introduction included a 15-item limit at kiosks.

Supervisors Connie Chan, Jackie Fielder, Stephen Sherrill and Shamann Walton are co-sponsors, and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 5 supports the measure.

Jobs and theft

Mandelman framed the proposal as a way to keep working people in a more automated economy and to reduce shoplifting. He pointed to a 2023 estimate from Grabango, a former checkout-technology startup, that theft losses at self-checkout ran about 3.5% of register sales, compared with about 0.12% in staffed lanes, KALW reported. He also cited research from the Shift Project suggesting workers at stores with self-checkout face more disrespect from customers and more understaffing.

Grocers push back

The California Grocers Association called the idea "unworkable," spokesperson Nate Rose told the Chronicle, warning it could mean fewer lanes, longer lines and possibly higher prices. He also questioned whether cashiers, who are not trained to stop shoplifters, would deter theft, and said the right to sue could put stores in serious legal jeopardy. Union strategist Jim Araby countered that the goal is regulation, not eliminating self-checkout.

Other cities have tried similar rules. In Long Beach, a city survey found 10 of 13 stores had closed some or all of their kiosks after its law took effect, the Chronicle reported. San Jose council members introduced their own proposal last month, and two state bills since 2024 stalled before reaching the governor.

The ordinance now goes through the board's committee process before any final vote.