Sainsbury’s shoppers have been left fuming over “ridiculous” security measures introduced for discounted items.
Bargain hunters have long sought out yellow-stickered items in supermarkets, but recently those shopping in Sainsbury’s have been left frustrated at the checkout.
Shoppers have reported having to call over employees to approve their reduced purchases while using the self checkout.
The Sun understands the additional security measures are used for reduced items as well as coupons, following reports of a surge in fakes being circulated.
But their introduction seems to have caused frustration at the checkout.
A reduced sticker hunter wrote in a Reddit post: “The last three times I’ve been to a Sainsbury’s the reduced barcode doesn’t scan and an employee has to come and help me – is this a national thing and if so, what’s happening?”
In response another user said: “It is company wide, it’s deliberate, and it’s a massive headache for staff.”
Others said that anything reduced by more than 50% now required staff approval.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “We have range of security measures in place in our stores, including processes to prevent fraud.
“We continue to accept genuine coupons, vouchers and reductions and are sorry for the inconvenience this slightly longer checkout process may cause.”
Many supermarkets have introduced additional security measures following a spike in shoplifting in recent years, but still some users said these anti-theft measures would see them shop elsewhere.
One said: “Sainsbury’s anti theft measures do nothing but p**s me off and make me go to Lidl instead.”
They added: “Inconveniencing the 99% of honest shoppers for the actions of the few is the wrong way to go about [preventing theft].”
Another added: “I am now avoiding Sainsbury’s, it is going down the plughole.”
Shops have faced a shoplifting epidemic in recent years.
With higher costs of living, inflation, and continued effects from lockdown there has been a nationwide increase.
Stores are therefore taking extra precautions adding anti-theft devices, security officers, and CCTV.
In March this year, over 443,000 incidents of shop theft were recorded by police, the House of Lords revealed.
Footage of staff and security struggling to put a stop to such incidents have also gone viral on social media.
In a letter to the Home Office, published on November 5, the House of Lords set out recommendations to “help tackle the problem and help keep the public and our economy safer.”
The list included improved reporting systems for retailers and the creation of a standalone offence of assaulting a retail worker.
Plus, guidance for the use of facial recognition technology by private companies.
Lidl now requires customers at some stores to scan a barcode on their receipt at the self-checkout before they can leave the store.
Similar barriers have also been introduced in other major shops and supermarkets including Primark, Morrisons and Aldi.
The spike in shoplifting has also seen security tags added to everyday items including chocolate and cheese.
THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop.
You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they’ve been reduced.
If the food is fresh, you’ll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time.
Making a list should also save you money, as you’ll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket.
Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too.
This means ditching “finest” or “luxury” products and instead going for “own” or value” type of lines.
Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they’re misshapen or imperfect.
For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50.
If you’re on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too.
Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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