Kroger is under fire as shoppers rage over long checkout lines, botched self-checkout rollbacks, and the sudden death of its Ship-to-Home delivery service.
Customers are sounding off online, saying the grocery giant is dropping the ball in-store and at home, and warning that if Kroger doesn’t get it together fast, they’ll take their money to rivals like Trader Joe’s.
It all started with a now-viral Facebook post from shopper Mike Warren, who shared a photo of a painfully long line at the Mt. DeChantal Kroger. “This is the line to the one open manned register… with three more people in front of me,” he wrote. “Makes me want to drive all the way to Trader Joe’s. Kroger, do better.”
And he’s not the only one done with the brand. Commenters quickly chimed in, blasting the store for what they say is consistent chaos at the checkout. One person said they now shop at Riesbeck’s despite higher prices, just to keep their blood pressure down. Another raved about Trader Joe’s, saying their prices are better and they always have manned registers.
One shopper put it bluntly: “Most, if not all, of the ‘manned’ registers ARE UNMANNED!!!” Others called Kroger’s lines “insane” and said they avoid the store “at all costs.”
This blowback comes after Kroger tried, and failed, to go all-in on self-checkout in some stores. The retailer eventually reversed the decision, but according to customers, they didn’t bring back enough staffed lanes to fix the mess.
Frustration has been building for months, and social media is flooded with shoppers venting about the lack of help at checkout. Kroger has promised to investigate the complaints, but so far, it’s just more corporate noise to customers who are already shopping elsewhere.
And the store isn’t just fumbling in person. In March, Kroger quietly pulled the plug on its Ship-to-Home delivery service, which had been a lifeline for people without transportation. “Kroger is failing its customers in many ways,” one angry post read. Another added, “It’s going to affect a lot of people who have no transportation.”
The change was hidden away on the retailer’s Ship FAQs page with a cold message: “As of March 2025, Kroger is no longer selling third-party items via Ship to Home.” Customers can still use other delivery and pickup services, but that’s little comfort for those who relied on Ship.
🛒 Grocery Store Experience Comparison
Feature Kroger, Trader Joe’s, Walmart, and Target. Self-Checkout Experience Chaotic rollbacks, long lines No self-checkout, always manned Restricted to members in some stores, RFID tests Express self-checkout (10 items or less) Manned Registers Often unmanned Always manned Varies by location Manned + express self-checkout combo Delivery Service Ship-to-Home canceled March 2025 No home delivery Delivery and pickup available. Delivery and pickup available. Customer Sentiment Increasing backlash Strong loyalty Mixed, improving Generally positive Checkout Speed Slow, inconsistent Fast and personal Improving with experiments Faster with 10-item express lanes Item Limits at Self-Checkout None enforced, but crowded N/AT Typically 15 items or less in some locations. 10 items or less at express lanes
Meanwhile, rivals are moving fast to outshine Kroger. Walmart has been experimenting with its self-checkout strategy, restricting self-checkout to Walmart+ members, closing machines during specific hours, and even bringing in more cashiers. One wild test included RFID-powered kiosks to skip receipt checks, but that trial didn’t stick.
Target is also playing with self-checkout limits. As of March 2024, the brand’s 10-items-or-less express lanes have expanded to 2,000 stores across the U.S., giving shoppers a quicker way out without dealing with mile-long lines. Walmart’s also been spotted limiting self-checkout to 15 items or less in many locations.
While other grocers are trying to improve and simplify the experience, Kroger seems stuck in a downward spiral. Between checkout lines stretching into aisles, customers ditching the store mid-shop, and the abrupt cancellation of Ship, it’s no wonder shoppers are warning that if Kroger doesn’t change fast, they’ll leave for good.
With more consumers already praising places like Trader Joe’s for better prices and actual human cashiers, Kroger is skating on thin ice. The pressure is on, and unless they can fix their checkout crisis and rethink their delivery moves, Trader Joe’s and other rivals might just eat their lunch.
