‘Imprisoned’: Activist smashes Woolworths self-service checkout gate with hammer
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Over the last few years, major supermarkets have seen increasing levels of theft costing retailers several billion dollars a year.
As a result, supermarket giants like Woolworths and Coles have implemented various ‘high-tech security measures’ to try and tackle the issue.
One such measure is the use of self-service checkout gates, which are placed at the entrance to the self-serve areas and require customers to scan all their groceries before they can exit the store.
However, not everyone is happy with the implementation of these smart gates, with one woman taking matters into her own hands this week and smashed a gate with a hammer.
The incident was caught on video, which then circulated on social media, and showed the woman dressed in black pants, a purple hoodie, and a surgical face mask.
She struck the gate three times and tossed flyers into the checkout area, with the flyers reading, ‘Smash the gates’.
Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance (WACA), a left-wing activist group, shared the video on social media to express their concerns about customers feeling trapped at Woolworths' self-serve check-outs.
WACA made a bold statement on their social media stating: ‘News flash Woolies—customers don't want to be falsely imprisoned in your self-serve check-outs!’
‘Isn't it enough forcing people into self-serve while Woolies and Coles have made exploitative profits? Some customers have taken the matter into their own hands today. #SmashTheGates.’
Both Woolworths and Coles have introduced new smart gates at self-service check-outs and other technological measures to combat a 20 per cent increase in supermarket theft, which costs retailers a staggering $9 billion annually.
A Woolworths spokesman said, ‘The safety of our team members is our highest priority, and we're thankful that no store team member or customer was injured in the incident. There is no place for this type of vandalism, and we're assisting police with their inquiries.’
The incident reportedly occurred at Woolworths Moorabbin in Melbourne's southeast, according to WACA.
The gates in question are part of a contentious security upgrade aimed at curbing theft during the current cost-of-living crisis.
WACA group stated in defence of the act, ‘Customers are held inside the shopping centre by a locked gate until they can prove they have paid for their goods.’
However, some shoppers disagreed and reported they could still exit the self-serve area without showing receipts.
Both supermarket giants have recorded substantial profits, with Woolworths reporting $1.6 billion and Coles $1.1 billion in the last financial year.
This has fueled criticism, with WACA pointing out, ‘While people are struggling to put food on the table and take care of their families, Woolworths is paying their CEO upwards of $20,000 per day.’
‘Woolworths has also been accused of exploiting the public by significantly ramping up prices … Further escalations are likely and may cost the company thousands, repairing not just their security devices but also their image.’
The incident had varied reactions on social media.
Some users condemned the act as ‘abusive’ and created a dangerous workplace for retail staff.
Others labelled it as ‘vandalism’ arguing that customers ultimately bear the cost of such behaviour, and urged dissatisfied shoppers to choose other stores if they disagreed with security measures.
Woolworths had previously rolled out AI-powered cameras to monitor customers scanning items, aiming to reduce scanning errors and make shopping more convenient.
Woolworths said the cameras help to prevent ‘misscans’.
Should the camera identify any scanning errors, it replays the recorded footage on the screen, allowing the customer to re-scan the items.
‘It helps reduce misscans and is one of a number of initiatives we’ve rolled out across our check-outs to make shopping more convenient and seamless,’ a spokesperson said during the trial phase.
‘While most customers do the right thing at our self-serve check-outs, we’re all busy and mistakes can easily happen.’
Coles, on the other hand, is implementing a range of measures, including overhead cameras, trolley locks, smart gates, and fog machines, to tackle rising theft rates.
‘If you’re a thief, we’re gonna catch you,’ warned Coles’ Chief Operating Officer Matt Swindells during an interview with Nine’s A Current Affair earlier this month.
The balance between security and customer experience remains a topic of ongoing debate, with incidents such as this one serving as a clear reminder of the challenges faced by retailers in protecting their assets while keeping customers satisfied.
Members, how do you feel about this story? Do you believe the woman's actions were justified? And what's your take on the heightened security measures in supermarkets? Share your perspectives in the comments below!
As a result, supermarket giants like Woolworths and Coles have implemented various ‘high-tech security measures’ to try and tackle the issue.
One such measure is the use of self-service checkout gates, which are placed at the entrance to the self-serve areas and require customers to scan all their groceries before they can exit the store.
However, not everyone is happy with the implementation of these smart gates, with one woman taking matters into her own hands this week and smashed a gate with a hammer.
A woman struck the checkout gate with a hammer. Image source: Social media (@akaWACA/X)
The incident was caught on video, which then circulated on social media, and showed the woman dressed in black pants, a purple hoodie, and a surgical face mask.
She struck the gate three times and tossed flyers into the checkout area, with the flyers reading, ‘Smash the gates’.
Some ‘Smash the gates’ flyers were thrown inside a Melbourne Woolworths store by a woman. Image source: Social media (@akaWACA/X)
Whistleblowers, Activists and Communities Alliance (WACA), a left-wing activist group, shared the video on social media to express their concerns about customers feeling trapped at Woolworths' self-serve check-outs.
WACA made a bold statement on their social media stating: ‘News flash Woolies—customers don't want to be falsely imprisoned in your self-serve check-outs!’
‘Isn't it enough forcing people into self-serve while Woolies and Coles have made exploitative profits? Some customers have taken the matter into their own hands today. #SmashTheGates.’
Both Woolworths and Coles have introduced new smart gates at self-service check-outs and other technological measures to combat a 20 per cent increase in supermarket theft, which costs retailers a staggering $9 billion annually.
A Woolworths spokesman said, ‘The safety of our team members is our highest priority, and we're thankful that no store team member or customer was injured in the incident. There is no place for this type of vandalism, and we're assisting police with their inquiries.’
The incident reportedly occurred at Woolworths Moorabbin in Melbourne's southeast, according to WACA.
The gates in question are part of a contentious security upgrade aimed at curbing theft during the current cost-of-living crisis.
WACA group stated in defence of the act, ‘Customers are held inside the shopping centre by a locked gate until they can prove they have paid for their goods.’
However, some shoppers disagreed and reported they could still exit the self-serve area without showing receipts.
Both supermarket giants have recorded substantial profits, with Woolworths reporting $1.6 billion and Coles $1.1 billion in the last financial year.
This has fueled criticism, with WACA pointing out, ‘While people are struggling to put food on the table and take care of their families, Woolworths is paying their CEO upwards of $20,000 per day.’
‘Woolworths has also been accused of exploiting the public by significantly ramping up prices … Further escalations are likely and may cost the company thousands, repairing not just their security devices but also their image.’
The incident had varied reactions on social media.
Some users condemned the act as ‘abusive’ and created a dangerous workplace for retail staff.
Others labelled it as ‘vandalism’ arguing that customers ultimately bear the cost of such behaviour, and urged dissatisfied shoppers to choose other stores if they disagreed with security measures.
Woolworths had previously rolled out AI-powered cameras to monitor customers scanning items, aiming to reduce scanning errors and make shopping more convenient.
Woolworths said the cameras help to prevent ‘misscans’.
Should the camera identify any scanning errors, it replays the recorded footage on the screen, allowing the customer to re-scan the items.
‘It helps reduce misscans and is one of a number of initiatives we’ve rolled out across our check-outs to make shopping more convenient and seamless,’ a spokesperson said during the trial phase.
‘While most customers do the right thing at our self-serve check-outs, we’re all busy and mistakes can easily happen.’
Coles, on the other hand, is implementing a range of measures, including overhead cameras, trolley locks, smart gates, and fog machines, to tackle rising theft rates.
‘If you’re a thief, we’re gonna catch you,’ warned Coles’ Chief Operating Officer Matt Swindells during an interview with Nine’s A Current Affair earlier this month.
The balance between security and customer experience remains a topic of ongoing debate, with incidents such as this one serving as a clear reminder of the challenges faced by retailers in protecting their assets while keeping customers satisfied.
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