Kmart pulls new-style registers from store

Attention Kmart shoppers: You're going to have to go back to the old-fashioned way of checking out -- by actually talking to a person and paying a cashier.

The Cape Girardeau Kmart has pulled its self-scanning checkouts, which allowed people to check out by themselves.

"Most customers prefer to have the store associate ring them out anyway," said John Pokos, Cape Girardeau's new Kmart store manager. "The self-checkouts were used by a select group of customers. The kids liked them, but some people struggled with them. Some weren't comfortable with it."

So the store is in the process of putting regular lanes back where the self-checkouts used to be.

Many of the Kmart stores are pulling out their self-checkouts. The decision, at least nationally, also has a money factor. In April, Kmart asked its bankruptcy court judge to dismiss Kmart's contract with the supplier of its self-checkout registers because of shoplifting problems.

Regardless of why they're doing it, I like actually having a cashier to pay instead of some lifeless machine. To me, having a human being doing a job is true progress.

New commercial property

The old Teen Challenge thrift store building at 6 N. Sprigg, which suffered fire damage a few years ago, has been bought by Vince and Terrence Kelley. They are rebuilding the building to create a commercial rental property.

No commercial tenant is lined up yet, though.

Strength in numbers

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's recent membership drive resulted in a total of 75 new members, according to Cathi Schlosser, the chamber's relatively new director of membership development.

Schlosser says this was the best drive since 1999. She thanked all the volunteers and those who beat the street to promote membership in one of the largest chambers in the state.

Mall World

Some updates from Westfield Shoppingtown West Park, courtesy of Joyce Hunter, senior marketing director:

The Hip Hop Shop, an urban youth clothing store, has closed.

The parking lot resurfacing is done. Starting today, they are painting the exterior of the main entrance a whole new color scheme.

The mall is still accepting names for its Court of Honor of military people who have local ties. That list has been moved to the JCPenney court area.

No word about Sears. The same people who are working that Albertsons deal must be working on this one.

Teens and money

The young don't have much faith in the future of Social Security.

Only 44 percent of teens ages 13 to 18 believe Social Security will exist when they turn 65, according to an annual poll of students in middle and high schools.

Teens apparently are down on the stock market too. Their stock ownership continues to fall, with only 15 percent saying they hold any shares, down from 21 percent last year and 25 percent in the 2000 and 2001 polls.

The online survey was conducted by Colorado-based Junior Achievement Inc., with data gathered in October and November.

Scott Moyers is the business editor for the Southeast Missourian. Send your comments, business news, information or questions to Biz Buzz, 301 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702-0699, e-mail smoyers@semissourian.com or call 335-6611, extension 137.