Shoppers have pledged to boycott a Boots branch over its decision to swap manned checkouts for self-service tills.
The drugs store at Westwood Cross in Broadstairs has recently switched out five staffed pay points in a move that has disappointed many customers.
The change has sparked a backlash on social media, with many people claiming they will not use the shop again.
Christine Walker said: “Well, that's me finished with Boots at Westwood Cross.
“They've taken away the tills and made it self-service.
“There was a time when cashiers would serve you with a smile and a polite 'good morning'. I am not a robot.”
Jacqueline Harris added: “I hate self-service with a passion so I will not be getting any Christmas shopping there.
“If you think there will be more floor staff I think you will be greatly disappointed. More jobs disappearing.”
Michael Older described the decision as “a serious bad move by Boots”.
“Most customers need advice on the best purchases, so going to a self-checkout and asking the usual staff standing watching for problems would be very impersonal,” he said.
The Westwood Cross store has followed many other branches across the country in swapping out staffed pay points for unmanned ones.
Shops in Canterbury and Bluewater have already made the change.
Denise Bottali urged people to “act with their feet and don't bow down to them” after learning of the move, while Peter Jordan commented: “I agree, the only way to stop this is not to use the shop.
“Also, where they have a cashier and robot tills, always use the cashier.
“Hopefully they will get the message.
I hate self-service with a passion so I will not be getting any Christmas shopping there…
“It's all for their convenience and profit.”
However, not everyone is against the unstaffed tills.
Tara Cahill wrote: “Cool. No more being held up by people talking when everyone else is stuck in the queue.”
Linda Sullivan expressed similar sentiments, saying: “I don't like self-checkouts but I can understand why they have them.
“It does free up staff to keep the shop stocked and keep an eye open for shoplifters as so much is stolen from the shops nowadays.
“Also, there is always someone on hand if you need help using them.”
A Boots spokesperson said: “The Boots store at Westwood Cross shopping centre in Broadstairs has twelve till points in total, of which five are self-service tills and seven are manned by our store teams.
“Where we have introduced self-service tills in our stores, we have found that we are able to serve customers more quickly and reduce queueing time.”
