I don't condone theft... but I do remember a day before self checkouts existed, and stores had to hire enough cashiers to be faster than their competitors. Those dozens of checkout lanes at the front of big-box stores weren't always decorative, they used to all be staffed during busy periods.

Yup, the speed has not gotten better, it's just that it's on me to be speedy as opposed to somebody that gets paid for it.

It's a lousy deal for everyone except the business.