ALDI intensifies shoplifting crackdown
- Replies 66
With the cost of living soaring and inflation hitting households hard, it's no wonder so many of our members are flocking to discount supermarkets like ALDI to make their precious dollars stretch further.
And recently, ALDI, our favourite low-cost, bulk-buy supermarket, has been in the news, and it’s regarding a noteworthy change in their checkout policy.
This announcement could impact your habit of bypassing the baskets and going for the bags, so let’s get into it.
It's come to light that some ALDI store employees in the UK have been told to refrain from servicing customers who don’t put their shopping bags on the checkout belts for inspection to ensure they are empty.
Explored initially by The Grocer magazine and confirmed by a store worker's revelation, ALDI has implemented this policy seemingly to deter shoplifting–an unfortunate reality that has seen an uptick in recent times.
The ALDI shop worker said: ‘We are asking that they allow us to look in the bags to see if they are empty. We have been asking to look in the bags to make sure none of our items are in there.’
In the wake of the cost-of-living crisis and an inflation-driven hike in food prices, the rule could be seen as a necessary albeit unpleasant deterrent against theft.
The crux here is that customers who decline these searches may be refused a sale. However, it appears this policy is yet to be enforced across the UK and that bag checks are only conducted with the shopper's consent.
The employee also shared that customers walking out of the store may be stopped by security if they were suspected of shoplifting.
ALDI Australia’s website also mentions a similar policy. It states: ‘It is a condition of entry that all bags, parcels, prams and containers are presented for inspection.’
This newly induced rule sparked diverse opinions among local ALDI personnel.
One worker stated: ‘New policy at ALDI, all empty shopping bags must be on the belt plus all shopping.’
While others are more concerned about situations where shoppers could be stopped by security upon exiting the store suspected of theft.
A spokesperson for the retailer told reporters that these searches were only taking place in select stores as a ‘short-term measure’ and shoppers will not be stopped from buying anything or leaving the store.
This policy is also separate from the rules enforced by security guards, said the spokesperson.
‘This only covers the bags they're using to pack their shopping, not handbags or personal bags,’ they explained.
Apparently, the bag check policy isn't a fresh idea and has been reported as early as May. And it's not only ALDI; several retailers are tightening up security as shoplifting rates climb.
To add context, food costs are on the rise mainly due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and poor harvests in some European countries. This has caused food inflation to reach a whopping 19.4 per cent in March, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Many supermarkets are reacting by increasing security, including stricter security tags and even lock boxes on everyday items such as cheese, coffee, and chocolate.
If you do encounter any problems while shopping, it’s best to politely check with the store employees or manager.
What are your thoughts on this policy? Have you encountered anything similar while out shopping? Let us know in the comments below!
And recently, ALDI, our favourite low-cost, bulk-buy supermarket, has been in the news, and it’s regarding a noteworthy change in their checkout policy.
This announcement could impact your habit of bypassing the baskets and going for the bags, so let’s get into it.
It's come to light that some ALDI store employees in the UK have been told to refrain from servicing customers who don’t put their shopping bags on the checkout belts for inspection to ensure they are empty.
Explored initially by The Grocer magazine and confirmed by a store worker's revelation, ALDI has implemented this policy seemingly to deter shoplifting–an unfortunate reality that has seen an uptick in recent times.
An ALDI store worker said the store had introduced a new bag-checking policy. Credit: Shutterstock
The ALDI shop worker said: ‘We are asking that they allow us to look in the bags to see if they are empty. We have been asking to look in the bags to make sure none of our items are in there.’
In the wake of the cost-of-living crisis and an inflation-driven hike in food prices, the rule could be seen as a necessary albeit unpleasant deterrent against theft.
The crux here is that customers who decline these searches may be refused a sale. However, it appears this policy is yet to be enforced across the UK and that bag checks are only conducted with the shopper's consent.
The employee also shared that customers walking out of the store may be stopped by security if they were suspected of shoplifting.
ALDI Australia’s website also mentions a similar policy. It states: ‘It is a condition of entry that all bags, parcels, prams and containers are presented for inspection.’
The ALDI worker claimed that those refusing to comply with the search would also be refused the sale. Credit: Shutterstock
This newly induced rule sparked diverse opinions among local ALDI personnel.
One worker stated: ‘New policy at ALDI, all empty shopping bags must be on the belt plus all shopping.’
While others are more concerned about situations where shoppers could be stopped by security upon exiting the store suspected of theft.
A spokesperson for the retailer told reporters that these searches were only taking place in select stores as a ‘short-term measure’ and shoppers will not be stopped from buying anything or leaving the store.
This policy is also separate from the rules enforced by security guards, said the spokesperson.
‘This only covers the bags they're using to pack their shopping, not handbags or personal bags,’ they explained.
Apparently, the bag check policy isn't a fresh idea and has been reported as early as May. And it's not only ALDI; several retailers are tightening up security as shoplifting rates climb.
Shoppers have the following rights in Australia. Credit: The Seniors Discount Club
To add context, food costs are on the rise mainly due to the ongoing war in Ukraine and poor harvests in some European countries. This has caused food inflation to reach a whopping 19.4 per cent in March, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Many supermarkets are reacting by increasing security, including stricter security tags and even lock boxes on everyday items such as cheese, coffee, and chocolate.
If you do encounter any problems while shopping, it’s best to politely check with the store employees or manager.
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And they can make what rules they like.
