AS Safeway has continued to implement additional security measures to combat rampant retail theft, some shoppers claim the anti-theft policies are making them feel trapped in the store.
Over the past several months, Safeway has introduced receipt-scanning gates customers need to pass through after they pay for their items at self-checkout machines.
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Instead of having their receipts checked by an employee, all shoppers need to do to exit the store is scan the receipt in order to open the gate.
The measure prevents the exit at the self-checkout area in stores from remaining open at all times.
Safeway locations in California, Washington D.C. as well as Maryland have seen the new measure installed.
The company has said the measure is partly to target shoplifters and thieves as retail theft has continued to hit businesses hard across the country.
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However, customers have concerns the new security measures will unfairly impact their shopping experience.
In a Reddit thread discussing the new receipt-scanning gates, one shopper claimed she could be left “hostage” in the store if she was unable to get out.
“Not liking the feeling of being trapped in a space until someone decides to let me out… what if no employee is standing there? I’m a hostage in the store until I can flag someone down? Dang,” the Reddit user said.
“Haven’t seen these yet in my neck of the woods. I don’t think I’d be too excited to use them.”
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Her complaint was in response to another shopper who worried that they too would be unable to leave the store if they decided against buying any items during a visit.
“I go into stores sometimes and don’t buy anything after pondering what I want/prices for products. Would I have to speak to someone to leave since I wouldn’t have a receipt then?” the shopper wrote.
“It’s reasonable enough logically, but I can see clearly why this would be controversial”
Others have said they were in fact unable to exit the store when the gate malfunctioned, claiming they were forced to wait until another shopper had a receipt to scan.
“Yep, true. I went in to pick up my prescriptions and the damn scanner didn’t read my receipt,” the shopper said.
“I had to wait for 5 minutes for another customer to pass through. Ugh!”
Safeway, and its parent company Albertsons, has defended the new security measure, claiming it was also implemented to improve the in-store shopping experience.
“Recent changes were made at select Safeway stores in Washington D.C. to maintain a safe and welcoming shopping experience for our customers,” Albertsons said.
The retailer explained that by curbing theft in store, it can improve the environment for customers.
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“Like other local businesses, we are working on ways to curtail escalating theft so we can ensure the wellbeing of our employees and foster a welcoming environment for our customers,” Albertsons said.
Albertsons did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for additional comment.
https://www.the-sun.com/news/10425563/shoppers-blast-safeway-anti-theft-measure/