Morrisons has introduced barriers at its self-checkout areas, making shoppers scan their receipt in order to exit the store.
The new security gates were seen in Morrisons’ Chorlton store in south Manchester and are located by the supermarket’s self-service checkouts. Customers wishing to leave without buying anything will have to call a member of staff to let them out.
This follows on from a similar move by Sainsbury’s last year, where barriers were introduced as an additional security measure.
This comes as theft of items, including alcohol, meat and confectionery, has reached its highest rate in a decade.
Last week, the Association of Convenience Stores found that over 1.1m incidents of theft were recorded in 2022, up from 970,000 in 2021.
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A Morrisons spokesperson told The Sun: “Any customers who haven’t made a purchase simply need to ask the Morrisons customer assistant manning the self-service tills to open the gate for them.”
While barriers have been added to several stores, the supermarket has not confirmed whether the measure will be rolled out to further sites.
The move, which was implemented across select Sainsbury’s stores last year, led to shopper backlash as many took to social media to express their dislike of the system.
Held hostage in Sainsbury’s today. Shut in penned off enclosure until I scan receipt for goods already paid for. This MUST be illegal. Poor single employee having to do their dirty work.
— Robert Philpot (@RobertPhilpot) April 7, 2023
@sainsburys I’ve been loyal to Sainsbury’s for 30 years. Now it stops. How dare you insult me, by scanning receipts to leave. Not even the discounters to this. No warning, no instore signage and it doesnt work, my receipt had to be reprinted. Farewell you untrusting store.
— Jon Hosier (@JohnHosier) December 13, 2022
