Business ProfileforSt. Louis Lambert International Airport

I made at purchase at the CNN Newstand Space # ****** on Sunday December 19, 2021 at 6:24 PM. I witnessed the cashier ring up the purchase in front of me and then tell the customer that exact change was required. There were no signs posted and no advance notices of this “policy” to inform consumers in advance. The customer left her change on the $10.39 sale. As she walked away the cashier took the customers change out of the drawer and placed it in the last coin holder in the register drawer. He then rang up my purchase and while waiting for me to pay, said exact change was required and no change would be given. I commented to him that the lady in front of me should have been given her change back because the coins were obviously available. After my remarks, he then slid a hidden sign out from behind merchandise that said due to National Coin Shortage, if possible, the store preferred credit/debit cards or correct amount. After I walked away, I rethought the situation and felt that he had purposely separated those coins after the lady walked away and was potentially stealing money from the company. I went back to the cashier and asked for his name. He turned over his badge and refused to provide the information. The manager Katherine ******** was called and I spoke with her about my concern. Ms ******** originally stated to my husband and me that she was given $100 in coins each morning to share amongst her stores. Later in her explanation she defensively said “We donate the change to “Covid Traveling Nurses”. Neither explanation convinced me that this is not blatant stealing from their customers. If there are coins in the drawer to make change for a purchase it should be given to the customer. Period. This technique is a foolproof way for a cash register to balance at the end of the day and the employee/supervisor/franchise walks away with loads of extra dollars in their pockets… undetected.