Propelling the global proliferation of SCO is the promise of an enhanced, speedier and more efficient experience for the customer and, perhaps more pertinently, one that could simultaneously decrease costs for the retailer by providing savings on their most expensive outlay: staff (Orel and Kara, 2013). Illustrating this, Wal-Mart estimates it could save $12 million for every second it can cut from the staffed checkout process(White, 2013). In addition to financial and efficiency savings, it has been claimed that there is ‘a growing consumer desire for an omni-channel shopping experience, where the speed and personalization they receive online is delivered in an increasingly selfservice manner in the store’ (Cisco Systems, 2013). However, customer views on SCO are mixed. A survey for computer maker Ordissimo revealed that some customers rate the self-service checkout as one of the most irritating features of modern life (Simms,2012) and some retail scholars have lamented that it is indicative of a slippery slope towards poorer customer service (Evans and Dayle, 2009). It is clear that the benefitsand limitations of SCO for retailers, customers and thieves are complex, but a key area that requires further exploration is the impact that SCO has on shrinkage and, in particular,shoplifting.