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Checkout checkpoint shows why new exit gates leave shoppers divided

Gian T
By Gian T
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Food and Lifestyle

Checkout checkpoint shows why new exit gates leave shoppers divided

1755668020497.png Checkout checkpoint shows why new exit gates leave shoppers divided
New exit gates raise bigger questions about trust, security, and how Australians want their shopping experience to feel. Credit: @@azzanschuster / TikTok

When a routine shopping trip becomes a talking point across social media, you know something significant has shifted in the retail world. That's exactly what happened when shoppers discovered Kmart's Broadmeadows store had installed entrance and exit gates that wouldn't look out of place at a supermarket - and the reaction has been anything but uniform.



The gates, spotted by TikTok user @assanschuster, represent more than just a store redesign. They're a window into Australian retailers' unprecedented challenges as shoplifting reaches levels not seen in decades.



In this Article



What exactly are we looking at?



These aren't the typical swing-door arrangements you might remember from older Kmart stores. The Broadmeadows location now features controlled entry and exit points similar to those trialled at Woolworths' Fairfield store and other major retailers. The technology allows retailers greater control over how customers can exit stores, with automatic and manual options available depending on the setup.









The system works by monitoring customer movement and purchases. Similar to supermarket trials, shoppers may be assigned a digital ID when they enter, which allows the gates to open automatically when they approach after paying at checkout.




'Kmart redesigned their store into the most untrustworthy set up ever'

TikTok user comment



The numbers behind the gates



The installation isn't happening in a vacuum. Australia is experiencing a retail theft crisis that would make any business owner's head spin. Victoria alone has seen shoplifting offences increase by 27.9 per cent in just 12 months, reaching 26,229 incidents - an all-time high.









The scale becomes even more sobering when you look across states:





  • New South Wales: 36.1 per cent surge with 27,015 total offences
  • Western Australia: Over 40 per cent increase compared to last year
  • South Australia: 31 per cent increase with 17,572 cases recorded



Nationally, retail crime including shoplifting, robbery and vandalism costs Australian businesses $9 billion annually - money that ultimately affects pricing for all of us.




Why Broadmeadows?


Broadmeadows is in the 4th percentile for safety, meaning 96 per cent of Victoria suburbs are safer. The odds of becoming a victim of property crime in Broadmeadows are 1 in 9, with a rate of 9944 incidents per 100,000 residents compared to the Victoria average of 3580 per 100,000. In 2024, there were 988 reported cases of theft in Broadmeadows.




Following the supermarket playbook



Kmart isn't pioneering this approach - they're following a trail blazed by major supermarkets. Both Woolworths and Coles have been rolling out security gates at checkouts, with Woolworths' gates already stationed at their Fairfield store in Sydney and trialled at five other locations.









More than 100 Coles stores nationwide now have security gates installed, with the company reporting these have corresponded with a reduction in theft at those locations. As a Coles spokesperson explained: 'We know that retail crime is on the increase across all retailers, and we have a range of security measures in place to reduce theft from our stores'.



The great divide: customer reactions



The response from shoppers has been predictably mixed, reflecting deeper frustrations about the retail experience in 2025.



The critics argue:








Many customers feel the gates create an atmosphere of mistrust. As one TikTok commenter sarcastically noted: 'The fun bit is lining up to scan my items then lining up again for the worker to check my receipt to let me out.'



Others worry about practical inconveniences: 'The problem I see is if you are not buying anything you have to line up to get out?'



The supporters counter:









'The idea that we are not being trusted as consumers is jarring to us because most of us do the right thing anyway,' acknowledged UNSW Business School professor Nitika Garg. However, many shoppers understand the business reality.



'This is great! I've seen first hand the stealing that happens! There has to be a deterrent as security do nothing,' commented one supporter, while another added: 'Can't say I blame them. Feel for the staff; they don't get paid enough.'




Your legal rights with security measures



  • You don't have to show receipts or open bags - walking away is perfectly fine

  • Citizens' arrest can only be used if the person witnessed the crime - security guards have no extra powers beyond ordinary citizens

  • Security guards cannot stop and search you without reasonable suspicion of an offence

  • Retail security gates are designed to open easily in case of emergency




What this means for your shopping routine



For most shoppers, the impact will be minimal. The gates operate automatically for paying customers, similar to train station barriers. The main difference you'll notice is a more controlled flow through the store and potentially longer waits if the system experiences glitches.









The heightened security will make most shoppers 'hyper-vigilant' about avoiding any behaviour that might be misinterpreted, as people naturally want to avoid embarrassing situations.



However, there are some practical considerations. If you change your mind about purchasing something, you may need to exit through a different route as the checkout gate won't open without a purchase. Staff should be available to assist in these situations.



The bigger picture: retail's new reality



This trend reflects broader changes in retail that go beyond just preventing theft. Major retailers are implementing technologies that treat the supermarket as a 'problem space' where customers are tracked and controlled, often in response to purported spikes in shoplifting.









Police estimate that up to 40 per cent of retail theft offenders are first-time thieves - suggesting this isn't just about career criminals but reflects broader economic pressures affecting ordinary families.



The human cost extends beyond just financial losses. When confronted, shame and embarrassment often lead to aggressive responses from shoplifters, endangering retail workers who are often casual employees earning modest wages.





What This Means For You


The conversation around Kmart's Broadmeadows gates reflects larger questions about trust, security, and the kind of shopping experience we want in Australia. While nobody enjoys feeling treated like a potential criminal, the stark reality of rising theft means retailers are having to make difficult choices.



As this technology becomes more widespread, the most successful retailers will be those who can implement necessary security while maintaining the welcoming atmosphere that makes shopping enjoyable rather than a checkpoint experience.



What's your take on retail security gates - necessary protection or a step too far? Have you noticed similar changes at your local stores, and how has it affected your shopping experience?




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