[wallacoloo]

If the part of shopping where I transfer my goods from my cart into my bag is “work”, then ought the part where I transfer goods from the shelf into my cart also be considered work?

IOW haven’t grocers been making the customer work for them ever since the creation of the supermarket —— long before self-checkout —— based on your definition of work?

[contingencies]

This is true. However, don't forget subscribing to the rest of the automobile culture: license, car, registration, driving to the store, parking, tickets, fuel, etc. These are really costs born by the consumer. Now they are also asking you to bring your own bags, pack your own bags, subscribe as a member to "save" (be monitored), and in some cases shop in specific hours to avoid the elderly due to COVID.

One of the most interesting things about living outside of western societies has been wet markets with zero accessibility for cars but great accessibility for walking, cycling and motorbikes. They are much friendlier and tend to have more stores with the same produce but different supply chains, which leads to more competition, greater variety and friendly personal service.