Final answer:
Laser scanning improves checkout speed, inventory tracking, and customer service, but does not eliminate the need for periodic manual inventory counts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about the disadvantages of using laser scanning of bar codes at retail checkout counters. While laser scanning offers numerous benefits, including increased speed and accuracy at checkout, continuous information on inventories, and improved levels of customer service, it does not provide the advantage of eliminating the need for periodic counting of inventory. Advanced systems can significantly reduce the frequency of manual counts by providing up-to-date inventory information, but they cannot completely eliminate the need to physically check inventory for accuracy due to potential issues such as theft, damage, or scanning errors.