Publix shoppers will no longer need to count the number of items in their cart before considering using the express checkout lane.
The Florida-based grocery chain has removed the 10-item limit for its express lanes, the company confirmed in an emailed statement to USA TODAY.
"To better serve our customers and improve checkout efficiency, we recently updated our express lane process to provide associates with greater flexibility in managing customer flow," the company said in the statement. "Rather than adhering to a specific item limit, our focus is on reducing wait times and ensuring customers can be served as efficiently as possible."
The company added that it is currently in the process of rolling out the change to all of its stores.
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Publix's decision sparks debate among shoppers
Publix's decision has sparked debate online about whether this is a good or bad move for shoppers.
"An express lane with no item limit is just another checkout lane," one user wrote on Reddit.
"They got rid of the express lane at my store. It stands there empty, like a ghost observing the self-checkout machines," another user wrote, with a third user expressing the opinion that self checkout will take the place of express checkout lanes.
"I actually kinda like this," one user wrote on the Reddit thread, expressing that express lanes are meant for "quick orders" and noting that "8 different bags of dog food is gonna take way longer than 15 cans of vegetables" to scan.
Publix currently operates more than 1,400 locations across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky.
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Publix shoppers can expect this change at express checkout lanes
