Tesco has made a major change to its supermarket aisles – and despite being designed to thwart shoplifters, it’s left some customers feeling put out.
In a select number of stores and across certain high-value products like spirits, the retailer has introduced locked security cabinets, which have the ability to track when items have been removed, and how long for.
The technology necessitates a lengthy four-step process in order to open them, as well as the ability to ring staff in case any suspicious activity is detected.
First of all, shoppers are presented with a message explaining ‘this cabinet is locked for security reasons.’ The machine, which operates using AI, then prompts users to tap an arrow to be granted access.
After pressing the button, the system confirms that it’s ‘processing the request’ before starting a short countdown. And after all that, the goods are finally released, getting customers closer to a well-deserved tipple. Gin and tonic, anyone?
Although it’s only been rolled out in a few Tesco locations – including Purley in South London – the move quickly caught the attention of shoppers. And not everyone’s happy.
Posting in the r/Tesco Subreddit, @The_King_Bowser snapped a picture of the shelves in their local store, asking if anyone else had noticed the measure.
In the replies, @Fatandugly35 questioned ‘how does this actually stop [thieves]?’, while @mamoneis added: ‘What baffles is the amount of paraphernalia in place instead of keeping one dude in that aisle.’
A third commenter, @SebastianHaff17, even described the new system as akin to ‘paying for an immersive prison experience.’
Over on TikTok, @mrsk047 said it was ‘truly horrifying [that] this is required,’ while @freddiemorecurry said ‘they have locks on the door. The state of the country.’
‘We have introduced sliding security devices on a limited number of shelves as an additional security measure to help reduce theft,’ a spokesperson from Tesco told Metro.
According to the supermarket, the devices have only been rolled out at a ‘small number of stores’, and are ‘not a universal policy’.
This isn’t the only change Tesco has made of late though. The supermarket chain has now joined others in installing cameras on self-service checkouts, with the major difference being that you can actually watch yourself back.
These new tills – which have been liked to ‘big brother’ surveillance by shoppers – record you as you scan, then play back video clips if you fail to scan an item properly.
Any customers trying to sneak extra products (even a 25p bag) will now receive a public dressing down, with the checkout announcing: ‘It looks like that last item didn’t scan. Please check you scanned it correctly before continuing.’
In Gateshead, the retailer is trialling another new feature at its Scan as you Shop checkouts, installing trolley and basket scales inside the Tesco Extra store.
Those who use the service simply pick up a handset upon entering and scan the barcode of each item as they put it in their basket or trolley. When it comes to payment, they can pack everything as usual, with the scales working out the total based on the weight.
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