Target has new self-checkout policies. What Iowans should know before checking out

If your Target shopping cart is full, don't head to the self-checkout lanes.

Self-checkout lanes at "most" of the nearly 2,000 stores across the country transitioned to 10 items or less on March 17, Target announced.

This news comes as some Walmart stores experiment with their self-checkout lanes, including limiting the use of those lanes. Costco is also confirming shoppers’ membership cards “more routinely” at self-checkout lanes, the retailer told USA TODAY in 2023.

Here’s what Target shoppers should know.

Can I use the self-checkout lanes at Target?

Yes.

About 200 stores last fall piloted express self-checkout lanes with limits of 10 items or fewer, according to Target. West Glen Town Center Target shoppers may have noticed signs and workers enforcing the policy at that location.

During this pilot, Target determined self-checkout was “twice as fast,” and that guests with the options to use the self-checkout for their “quick” trips or use a staffed lane for their full carts had a better checkout experience overall.

Now, most stores nationwide began adopting this policy on March 17. In addition, Target said it will:

• Open “more traditional lanes staffed by our team members”
• “Store leaders have the flexibility to open more lanes staffed by team members and set self-checkout hours” and that express self-checkout “will be available during the busiest shopping times”

Is there a fee to use the self-checkout lanes at Target?

The retailer did not state that there would be any fees associated with using self-checkout lanes at Target stores in its March 14 news release. Confusion regarding paying for self-checkout lanes may stem from what's happening with another retailer.

A video on Facebook in March claimed Walmart is charging $98 to use self-checkout lanes. USA TODAY fact-checked that claim, finding that there may be times some stores only have self-checkout lanes open to Walmart+ members, a $98 annual membership, but self-checkout lanes are not exclusive to members.

More:Walmart limiting self-checkout, but it's not exclusive to subscribers | Fact check

How many Target stores are in Iowa?

There are 21 stores in Iowa, according to Target’s store directory. That does not include the 148,000 square-foot store coming to the Waukee Towne Center that broke ground in 2023.

In the central Iowa Target has stores in:

• Des Moines at Merle Hay Mall and Southridge Mall
• Altoona
• Ames
• Ankeny
• Fort Dodge
• Urbandale
• West Des Moines near Valley West Mall and in the West Glen Town Center

Find a location near you by visiting target.com/store-locator.

Paris Barraza is a trending and general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at pbarraza@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.