I was a cashier at Wal-Mart during the summer at college. I believe it was 2001 or 2002. I was initially offered $6.50 to be a cart-pusher, but I specifically interviewed to be a cashier, so they hired me as a cashier at $6.25.
Of course, summer has a lot of busy times-graduation weekends, July 4th, back-to-school, and it was nutso at least 3-4 time periods during the summer alone.
There were times it was literally me on one 20-items or less line, and another cashier at the other 20-items or less line at the opposite end of the store. Sundays were always busy-a lot of people like to do their shopping after church (at least down here in the south, anyway).
I haven’t ever worked there since self checkouts became a thing, but I do live within 10 minutes of half a dozen Wal-Marts, and the trends are always the same-lots of cashiers during busy times, fewer during less busy times.
I think you’re undervaluing the influence online shopping has had, as opposed to the self-check out or kiosks.
