ST. LOUIS — A new self-checkout policy starts Thursday, Feb. 1, across all Schnucks and Eat Well Markets that limits the number of items customers can check out on their own to reduce theft and improve efficiency.

To make self-checkout lines efficient, shoppers will be limited to 10 items or less.

Those with more than 10 items will be directed to the staffed checkout lanes, according to a Schnucks media relations spokesperson. Self-checkouts were originally intended for smaller purchase orders and over time, shoppers began using them for larger orders.

The new policy aims to improve customer service, according to the spokesperson. The new policy also will help stop theft as self-checkouts are more susceptible. “This item limit will help us maintain our costs while keeping the prices lower for our customers,” the spokesperson said.