August 26, 2026

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A new memo from the City of Long Beach's Economic Development and Opportunity Department confirms what Californians for Affordable Living (CAL) has been warning cities across the state for months: self-checkout mandates frustrate shoppers and make retailers think twice about opening new stores.

According to the memo, businesses reported longer wait times, reduced checkout options and rising customer frustration after the city’s ordinance took effect. The memo also found that 10 of the 13 grocery and drug retailers surveyed closed or reduced self-checkout lanes, and noted that some retailers are now factoring the ordinance into decisions about whether to open additional locations in Long Beach.

“Long Beach is what happens when good intentions collide with bad policy,” said Stuart Waldman, President and CEO of the Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed). “Customers are frustrated, checkout lines are longer, and retailers are rethinking future investments there. Any city council considering similar legislation should treat this memo as required reading.”

Costa Mesa and Santa Ana have adopted similar ordinances this year, while Glendale and West Hollywood are actively considering their own.

CAL is urging city councils across California to pump the brakes on similar proposals and instead pursue policies that keep the in-store experience convenient and everyday goods affordable for California’s consumers.

To learn more about the coalition and its partners, please visit KeepCAAffordable.org.