A lot of focus is being paid to the subject of self-checkout kiosks and their impact on store operations. But the prudent retailer will also want to understand how these technologies influence consumer behavior. After all, knowing what shoppers carry, how they move, and what they buy contributes directly to a store’s profitability.

At Good L Corp, we’re taking a good look the relationship between self-checkout trends, customer shopping habits, and the shopping basket itself. As shopping evolves, the right basket can play a crucial role in optimizing operations and revenue alike.

Retail Store Optimization

The introduction of self-checkout has changed many aspects of the shopping experience. Once, long lines created what marketers called a “captive audience,” encouraging last-minute purchases at the register. Today, faster lanes mean fewer impulse buys. Self-checkout meets the needs of shoppers who want to quickly grab what they need, pay, and go—but not all customers share these priorities.

A 2025 Commerce Experience Report from NCR Voyix, a global leader in consumer technologies, reveals Gen Z and Millennial grocery shoppers are the biggest adopters of self-checkout. The majority (63%) of Gen Z shoppers (ages 18–29) prefer self-checkout, as do 45% of Millennials (ages 30–44).

Additional studies reveal 54% of Gen X Consumers say they’d like to see more self-checkout service options, while multiple studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that Baby Boomers generally have more skeptical (if not negative) attitudes toward self-checkout.

Shoppers with shopping carts filled with items such as loose produce that need weighing, bulky items like dog food, or anything requiring extra scanning effort often prefer traditional staffed lanes. Meanwhile, a Supermarket News report shows shoppers who “really like” self-checkout aisles tend to favor products like bottled water, chocolate candy, salty snacks, gum, and batteries. In other words, the convenience and specific functionality of self-checkout lanes are having an impact on the types of products shoppers go for. If it’s easy to scan or pre-weighed, it’s a better fit for a self-checkout shopper.

How to Match Baskets With Customer Preferences

The ideal hand basket for self-checkout scenarios depends on purchase size and store layout. To meet a variety of needs, your best bet is to offer several basket types.

Handheld baskets remain a practical choice for smaller stores or quick trips, encouraging faster purchases without the bulk of a full-sized cart. Rolling baskets, on the other hand, combine the portability of a basket with the larger capacity of a cart. This is ideal for medium-sized shopping trips and heavier items.

Smaller baskets have become a defining feature of modern retail. They’re lightweight, easy to carry, and take up minimal floor space. They’re also much more convenient for the ‘grab and go’ set looking for a speedy shop of between one and ten items.

Whether it’s the compact ease of a hand basket for quick errands or the rolling mobility of a mid-capacity model, retailers who adapt their basket mix to shopper intent will see smoother operations, better traffic flow, and higher satisfaction.

At Good L Corp, we design, manufacture, and distribute a full range of shopping baskets and shopping carts, including big, tall, and large models, as well as specialized options for bulk or oversized items. All our baskets are made at our La Vergne, Tennessee headquarters from 100% recycled, American-made materials.

Meeting the Modern Shopper Where They Are

In addition to their primary function as product carriers, your shopping baskets can also serve as a mobile marketing strategy. When you partner with Good L, you can have your store’s logo prominently displayed on the sides of the basket. We carry a full range of colors as well, so your logo and basket color align seamlessly with all your marketing efforts, keeping your identity clear and top of mind in your local community.

Stand out in today’s crowded retail market space with baskets that optimize the self-checkout process and align with today’s changing customer behaviors. We’re here to ensure your customers enjoy a comfortable and convenient shopping experience thanks to those important considerations that keep them coming back.

Get exactly what you need when you partner with Good L. Connect with us today!