27 (02)
Susana Barrios
From:Celeste Wilson <cwilson@lbchamber.com>
Sent:Monday, June 8, 2026 4:00 PM
To:Public Comment; City Clerk
Subject:\[EXTERNAL\] Agenda Item 27 | SCO Overregulation Caution | Long Beach Area
Chamber of Commerce
Attachments:Anaheim_June 9_SCO Staffing.pdf
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Good afternoon,
My name is Celeste Wilson, I am the Government Affairs Manager for the Long Beach Area Chamber
of Commerce (The Chamber), representing the policy interests of over 1,000 regional members.
Please find attached the letter outlining The Chamber's cauttionary message for Agenda Item 27, the
introduction of an ordinance pertaining to Self-Service Checkout Stations for drug and grocery
retailers.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Best,
--
Celeste Wilson
Government Affairs Manager
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce
1 World Trade Center Ste 101
Long Beach, CA 90831
Direct: 562-435-9594
Cell: 530-588-4984
Email: cwilson@lbchamber.com
1
The Long Beach Business Organization since 1891
Catalyst for business growth, Convener of leaders and influencers, and a Champion for a stronger community
1 World Trade Center, Suite 101. Long Beach, CA 90831 -101
Phone (562) 436-1251 • Fax (562) 436-7099 • info@lbchamber.com
lbchamber.com lbchamber thelbchamber longbeachchamber
June 9, 2026
Honorable Mayor & Anaheim City Council
200 S Anaheim Blvd
Anaheim, CA 92805
Subject: Agenda Item 27 – Grocery and Drug Store Staffing for Self-Service Checkout Stations
Ordinance
Dear Honorable Mayor and City Council Members:
On behalf of the Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (The Chamber), representing over 1,000
regional members, I am writing to respectfully caution against overregulation of grocery and drug
retailers through the proposed self-service checkout ordinance.
Retail theft and workplace safety are legitimate concerns that deserve thoughtful policy responses.
However, there is a meaningful difference between establishing reasonable operational standards and
imposing rigid mandates that unintentionally punish brick-and-mortar grocers already facing
extraordinary economic and competitive pressures.
The City of Long Beach recently adopted one of the most restrictive self-checkout ordinances in
California. The resulting operational burdens and liability exposure have led affected retailers to eliminate
self-checkout services altogether rather than attempt to comply with the ordinance’s rigid staffing
mandates and litigation framework. While well-intentioned, policies that effectively reduce consumer
convenience, increase operating costs, and limit operational flexibility ultimately risk harming the very
neighborhood grocery and pharmacy access local governments seek to protect.
California’s brick-and-mortar grocers and pharmacies are essential community institutions that provide
critical access to food, medicine, and household necessities. We respectfully encourage the Anaheim City
Council to avoid repeating these mistakes by pursuing a balanced approach that prioritizes public safety
without imposing unworkable mandates on retailers.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Harris
President & CEO
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce