As Aussies navigate supermarket aisles, shoppers are often so focused on their shopping lists that they overlook small details that are part of the everyday shopping experience.

A shopper's story related to one of Australia's supermarket giants raised many eyebrows in curiosity over a check-out feature that has remained a mystery.

A curious shopper shared her odd find at a local Coles store online.

The shopper shared a photo of small mirrors attached to the lower part of the store's check-out counter.

'What's with the tiny mirrors in the check-outs?' they asked.

A shopper pointed out the small mirror attached to the counter. Image Credit: Reddit/pinkdry_highlighter5

A series of comments—ranging from theories to jokes—flooded the comments section of the post.

'It was for five-year-old me to stare at while I was waiting for my mum,' one joked.

'They can see if you have nice shoes or not,' another quipped in jest.

A third user humorously suggested, 'It's like a hall of mirrors but just not as fun.'

However, some suggested that the mirrors also serve as an anti-theft measure.

By providing a view of the bottom of the trolley, these mirrors help cashiers ensure that all items are accounted for and reduce the likelihood of shoplifting.

Interestingly, a former retail worker chimed in to say that the mirrors, often referred to as the bottom-of-basket (BoB) mirrors, did not receive much attention except from service managers.

This could indicate that while the mirrors are there for a reason, their importance might vary among staff members.

While some might think these mirrors are just a quirky addition to the counter, they actually play a crucial role in the check-out process.

These mirrors allow Coles staff on the opposite lane to see if there's anything at the bottom of a shopper's trolley.

This feature could be helpful in spotting bulky items.

Coles staff may manually type in the item's details without the hassle of lifting it out of the trolley.

The conversation around these check-out mirrors came on the heels of another Coles-related story.

A shopper claimed to have found a 'loophole' in the supermarket's self-checkout system and suggested that the supermarkets' scales were not sensitive enough to measure light produce accurately.

He boasted about buying a single chilli for a fraction of the cost due to this alleged loophole.

While the supermarket has not officially addressed this claim, it still raised questions about the integrity of check-outs and whether customers are always getting what they pay for.

Key Takeaways

• Shoppers noticed a small mirror at the bottom of check-out counters at Coles.
• The mirrors have been a long-standing feature that helps team members see if any items have been left at the bottom of a trolley.
• Some speculated that the mirrors serve as an anti-theft measure, while others shared humorous personal theories about its purpose.
• The mirrors help ensure that all items, including heavy or bulky ones at the bottom of the trolley, are scanned and charged properly.

Have you ever noticed these little mirrors at your local Coles, too? Did you know about their purpose, or have you heard about other interesting supermarket secrets? Share your experiences and stories with us in the comments section!

 

[Tygie]

one thing Coles did not take into account - all it takes is someone to stand in front of the mirror and it is useless for seeing what it was intended for.

 

[Leenie]

Woolies have similar,to check that you put all items up out of the trolley, they don’t trust you ,simple.