Abstract: A checkout lane alert system and method is a live, computer base, in-store system that integrates real time shopper traffic data with computerized statistical analysis to generate accurate short term forecasts of shopper traffic at the checkout lanes of the store. Shopper entry time data from a recognition system is used in the analysis. The system combines real time data with pregathered statistical data about the population that shops in a particular type of store and data which characterizes the checkout lane throughput capability for the store to predict checkout lane traffic and staffing requirements. The system of the present invention is adapted for use in stores having express and non-express checkout lanes.