Did you ever go to the store, get what you needed and walked up to the checkout area and notice all the lines are long and busy. Well here are some observations from someone who does not like to shop and wants to get the heck out of the store fast, about how to find that fast moving line.                                                It seems that no matter what time of day you try to get some shopping done, the store is always busy. Evening and early mornings seem to be less crowded. So if you can make it there during these times is a good start                                                                                                                                                                           

If you are not able to shop in the morning or evening, and are ready to pay for your merchandise common sense says to look for the short line. This could be a mistake, a short line is not always the fastest. The first thing I look for is the basket to person ratio, How many baskets per person. If there are an equal amount of baskets per person then time to move on. More baskets, more items to be scanned. This equals longer time.                                                                                                                                                        

Next I look to see if it is a single person or family. Family's and children just take longer. No two ways around it, respect them and move on. Single people move faster because they have less concerns and are goal oriented.

So now you find a line that has less basket to person ratio and less people in line. Then look at the cashier, do they carry on a long conversation instead of a polite greeting, or do they stop and talk to the customer in a non business manner. Believe it or not this can really slow down line movement. But then again some cashiers can carry on a conversation and scan items very fast. Look at both the conversation and scanning of items to see if there is a constant flow. If there is a content flow then this could be your line.                                                                                                                                                                                         

Well if the line is long and the basket to person ratio is equal, and you have not exceeded items in the express line then there is your next choice. Then again I have seen many people in this line with double the exceeded limit, this could effect the line speed. If not then this is your line.                                                   

But what I have found best is these new self-checkout lines. You can check your prices as you go and package your own items. This new checkout system seems to have less lines and there is no limit on items you can have. They also take all types of payment.