Supermarket giants have been implementing strict security measures in their efforts to curb theft and protect their staff and customers.

However, Coles has been facing a wave of criticism from its customers recently.

The reason? The introduction of 'prison-like' security gates at the exits of their stores.

These gates, which are part of the supermarket's anti-theft measures, have been described as 'triggering' by some shoppers, who claim they make them feel trapped and uncomfortable.

The decision to install these automated gates came in response to a 20 per cent rise in thefts across Coles stores.

Automated gates at Coles have sparked outrage among shoppers. Image source: Shutterstock.

One shopper shared her distressing experience on social media, recounting how she was about to leave her local Coles store after paying for her groceries when the gates suddenly closed in on her.

'I finished up scanning and paying for my two items and as I go to leave, this little gate flashes red, like an alarm almost,' she wrote.

'Then the gate slid shut preventing me and some 60-year-old-tradie-looking bloke from leaving.'

The shopper went on to describe how a staff member eventually let her and the man out of the store.

She also mentioned that the man had earlier given her a look as if she was 'stealing'.

'I honestly was kinda triggered by it and struggled to have self-control, to not just kick the barrier or step over it,' she added.

'With how Woolies and Coles have been treating people with price gouging, this just feels like another big slap in the face.'

This comes after it was reported that a senate inquiry was called to investigate the pricing strategies employed by Coles and Woolworths supermarkets—the notorious ‘supermarket duopoly’.

The inquiry is expected to scrutinise whether customers are being subjected to issues such as 'price gouging' during economic hardship, pushing to own brand products, market concentration, corporate profit hikes and the extraction of cost-savings from employees and consumers through automation. You can read more about this story here.

Another customer had a similar experience, stating that she was barred from leaving a store after paying for her groceries until a staff member assisted her.

'I couldn't get out of the self-serve checkout once I had finished my shopping until they [staff] looked at my receipt and pressed a button,' the shopper shared.

In response to the backlash, a Coles spokesperson said that the gates are part of the security measures the supermarket has in place for the safety of staff and customers.

'While most of our customers do the right thing, unfortunately, a small number don't,' the spokesperson said.

'Coles has a range of security measures in place to reduce theft from our stores including CCTV, electronic article surveillance (EAS), and in some stores new smart gate technology that automatically opens as customers make payment for their products.'

The gates are just one of several technologies that Coles has implemented across its stores to combat the rise in theft.

Staff have recently begun to wear body cameras in some locations to reduce incidents of violence towards employees, and overhead cameras have also been installed across stores to track the movements of shoppers.

Key Takeaways

• Coles shoppers expressed their frustration at security gates installed across the supermarket's stores, describing them as 'triggering' and likening them to prison gates.
• The gates, which are part of an anti-theft system, have inadvertently caused distress to some customers, with reports of the gates closing in on customers who have already paid for their items.
• Coles has defended the implementation of the gates, stating that they are necessary security measures intended to protect the safety of staff and customers following a significant increase in thefts.
• Alongside the new smart gate technology, Coles has introduced other security features such as CCTV, electronic article surveillance (EAS), staff body-worn cameras, and overhead cameras to monitor store activity and reduce shoplifting and violence towards employees.

What are your thoughts on this issue, members? Have you encountered these security gates at your local Coles? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.

 

[DLHM]

There are two Coles in my area within a kilometre of each other. One with and one without these dumb gates .

I will put this thing to the test by making purchases at the gateless Coles then making more purchases at the gated one.

Let's see if gates lock me in. If I'm locked in, I will be armed with the receipt from the gateless one as proof of purchase. Then I will embark on a 60 second tirade at the store security for all to hear and see.

Can't wait for the fun to start!

Wish I could witness the entertainment! I know…video your annoyance and post it on TikTok or any social media of your choice.

 

[Coxy09]

Supermarket giants have been implementing strict security measures in their efforts to curb theft and protect their staff and customers.

However, Coles has been facing a wave of criticism from its customers recently.

The reason? The introduction of 'prison-like' security gates at the exits of their stores.

These gates, which are part of the supermarket's anti-theft measures, have been described as 'triggering' by some shoppers, who claim they make them feel trapped and uncomfortable.

The decision to install these automated gates came in response to a 20 per cent rise in thefts across Coles stores.

View attachment 38089

Automated gates at Coles have sparked outrage among shoppers. Image source: Shutterstock.

One shopper shared her distressing experience on social media, recounting how she was about to leave her local Coles store after paying for her groceries when the gates suddenly closed in on her.

'I finished up scanning and paying for my two items and as I go to leave, this little gate flashes red, like an alarm almost,' she wrote.

'Then the gate slid shut preventing me and some 60-year-old-tradie-looking bloke from leaving.'

The shopper went on to describe how a staff member eventually let her and the man out of the store.

She also mentioned that the man had earlier given her a look as if she was 'stealing'.

'I honestly was kinda triggered by it and struggled to have self-control, to not just kick the barrier or step over it,' she added.

'With how Woolies and Coles have been treating people with price gouging, this just feels like another big slap in the face.'

This comes after it was reported that a senate inquiry was called to investigate the pricing strategies employed by Coles and Woolworths supermarkets—the notorious ‘supermarket duopoly’.

The inquiry is expected to scrutinise whether customers are being subjected to issues such as 'price gouging' during economic hardship, pushing to own brand products, market concentration, corporate profit hikes and the extraction of cost-savings from employees and consumers through automation. You can read more about this story here.

Another customer had a similar experience, stating that she was barred from leaving a store after paying for her groceries until a staff member assisted her.

'I couldn't get out of the self-serve checkout once I had finished my shopping until they [staff] looked at my receipt and pressed a button,' the shopper shared.

In response to the backlash, a Coles spokesperson said that the gates are part of the security measures the supermarket has in place for the safety of staff and customers.

'While most of our customers do the right thing, unfortunately, a small number don't,' the spokesperson said.

'Coles has a range of security measures in place to reduce theft from our stores including CCTV, electronic article surveillance (EAS), and in some stores new smart gate technology that automatically opens as customers make payment for their products.'

The gates are just one of several technologies that Coles has implemented across its stores to combat the rise in theft.

Staff have recently begun to wear body cameras in some locations to reduce incidents of violence towards employees, and overhead cameras have also been installed across stores to track the movements of shoppers.

Key Takeaways

• Coles shoppers expressed their frustration at security gates installed across the supermarket's stores, describing them as 'triggering' and likening them to prison gates.
• The gates, which are part of an anti-theft system, have inadvertently caused distress to some customers, with reports of the gates closing in on customers who have already paid for their items.
• Coles has defended the implementation of the gates, stating that they are necessary security measures intended to protect the safety of staff and customers following a significant increase in thefts.
• Alongside the new smart gate technology, Coles has introduced other security features such as CCTV, electronic article surveillance (EAS), staff body-worn cameras, and overhead cameras to monitor store activity and reduce shoplifting and violence towards employees.

What are your thoughts on this issue, members? Have you encountered these security gates at your local Coles? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below.

It wouldn’t worry me in the least. Some people have no life so they feel good about themselves if they annoy or complain about everything. Just do your shopping and stop whinging and wining. If you can’t handle it shop elsewhere, it’s your choice where you shop. Theft causes prices to go up so whatever measures are in place it’s to help you in the long run, think about that.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Wish I could witness the entertainment! I know…video your annoyance and post it on TikTok or any social media of your choice.

Sorry to disappoint but the expected entertainment did not ensue.

The findings are in!

METHOD

First stop: Coles Dandenong Plaza. I purchased several Coles generic items at 10.21 am and collected the receipt. This store in not security gated.

Second stop: Coles Dandenong Princes Highway. I purchased approximately 1 kg of thawed banana prawns at 10.52 am and collected a receipt. This store is security gated.

FINDINGS

I placed a backpack with the Plaza store purchased items on the stainless steel shelf and scanned the banana prawns and paid according to the law at the Princes Highway store. At no time did I receive a message stating "Please scan all items in your trolley" or words to that effect regarding the previously Plaza purchased items. This will be discussed later.

I packed my prawns and exited the security gate without any drama whatsoever.

CONCLUSION

It is uncertain whether the security gate was not operational due to being turned off or malfunctioning. However, a vertical green lighted strip running down the gate was evident, implying it may have been operational.

Generic Coles items known to be sold at both stores were employed for the sake of reproducibility. Employing non Coles items may have resulted in errors due to stock differences between the two stores.

Several months ago, I purchased some brand name items from the Coles Dandenong Princes Highway then purchased more items from Woolworths Dandenong Princes Highway. The self serve checkout voice said "Please scan all items in your trolley" with the checkout promptly locking up. The shop assistant unlocked the checkout after I furnished proof of purchase some time earlier.

Well that result was unexpected! I expected to be locked in, much to my disappointment. The only thing I can try next is to actually "shoplift" and see if these buggers actually work! I'm umming and ahhing about taking that course of action!

 

[DLHM]

Sorry to disappoint but the expected entertainment did not ensue.

The findings are in!

METHOD

First stop: Coles Dandenong Plaza. I purchased several Coles generic items at 10.21 am and collected the receipt. This store in not security gated.

Second stop: Coles Dandenong Princes Highway. I purchased approximately 1 kg of thawed banana prawns at 10.52 am and collected a receipt. This store is security gated.

FINDINGS

I placed a backpack with the Plaza store purchased items on the stainless steel shelf and scanned the banana prawns and paid according to the law at the Princes Highway store. At no time did I receive a message stating "Please scan all items in your trolley" or words to that effect regarding the previously Plaza purchased items. This will be discussed later.

I packed my prawns and exited the security gate without any drama whatsoever.

CONCLUSION

It is uncertain whether the security gate was not operational due to being turned off or malfunctioning. However, a vertical green lighted strip running down the gate was evident, implying it may have been operational.

Generic Coles items known to be sold at both stores were employed for the sake of reproducibility. Employing non Coles items may have resulted in errors due to stock differences between the two stores.

Several months ago, I purchased some brand name items from the Coles Dandenong Princes Highway then purchased more items from Woolworths Dandenong Princes Highway. The self serve checkout voice said "Please scan all items in your trolley" with the checkout promptly locking up. The shop assistant unlocked the checkout after I furnished proof of purchase some time earlier.

Well that result was unexpected! I expected to be locked in, much to my disappointment. The only thing I can try next is to actually "shoplift" and see if these buggers actually work! I'm umming and ahhing about taking that course of action!

If you frequent those stores fairly often, they probably know you’re a trusted customer. Or perhaps they would want to prevent a fuss if things didn’t work your way.

 

[Lisa]

If you frequent those stores fairly often, they probably know you’re a trusted customer. Or perhaps they would want to prevent a fuss if things didn’t work your way.

Perhaps stupidity is the norm these days...

 

[Veggiepatch]

If you frequent those stores fairly often, they probably know you’re a trusted customer. Or perhaps they would want to prevent a fuss if things didn’t work your way.

More like they know me for the wrong reasons! I copped a six month ban from the Plaza Woolworths store in March for giving a hijab, nijab, whatever jab clad female more than a mouthful for squashing my Wondersoft bread into an unrecognisable mush and REFUSING to replace it!

 

[Veggiepatch]

Perhaps stupidity is the norm these days...

This could be the start of the fun I missed out on this morning....

 

[DLHM]

More like they know me for the wrong reasons! I copped a six month ban from the Plaza Woolworths store in March for giving a hijab, nijab, whatever jab clad female more than a mouthful for squashing my Wondersoft bread into an unrecognisable mush and REFUSING to replace it!

The “political correctness” issue is so pathetic. So is that terminology. Makes me want to puke . Bring back the days when people weren’t so incredibly over sensitive about everything.

 

[Veggiepatch]

The “political correctness” issue is so pathetic. So is that terminology. Makes me want to puke . Bring back the days when people weren’t so incredibly over sensitive about everything.

Well, I must admit my response is unfit for publication on SDC!

 

[Veggiepatch]

Seriously! Get a life! You only feel like a thief if you have something to hide also products purchased from another store can set the gates off. My question is wheres the rest of the story...what set the gates off?? Instead of making yourself look like an idiot next time just breath!

I can make myself look like an idiot by holding my breath. What's your claim to "fame"?

 

[Wendy]

I was in Coles last week and saw a middle aged lady at the self service checkout scanning her items and placing them in her bag. She then paid, waited for her receipt then promptly took two more items from the basket and straight into her bag without paying, and out through the (at the time not working) gates real quickly. (they were wrapped deli items). It's people like this that make it bad for everyone else. The staff are not allowed to stop them.

 

[marni]

Unfortunately these are use because your fellow man is untrustworthy. Just look at the looting in the areas of flooding. Its no different to speeding cameras. Do you feel like that you are being treated as if everyone is speeding? Stop being paranoid and just be innocent and all these security measures will bring the price down.

 

[Ezzy]

Sorry to disappoint but the expected entertainment did not ensue.

The findings are in!

METHOD

First stop: Coles Dandenong Plaza. I purchased several Coles generic items at 10.21 am and collected the receipt. This store in not security gated.

Second stop: Coles Dandenong Princes Highway. I purchased approximately 1 kg of thawed banana prawns at 10.52 am and collected a receipt. This store is security gated.

FINDINGS

I placed a backpack with the Plaza store purchased items on the stainless steel shelf and scanned the banana prawns and paid according to the law at the Princes Highway store. At no time did I receive a message stating "Please scan all items in your trolley" or words to that effect regarding the previously Plaza purchased items. This will be discussed later.

I packed my prawns and exited the security gate without any drama whatsoever.

CONCLUSION

It is uncertain whether the security gate was not operational due to being turned off or malfunctioning. However, a vertical green lighted strip running down the gate was evident, implying it may have been operational.

Generic Coles items known to be sold at both stores were employed for the sake of reproducibility. Employing non Coles items may have resulted in errors due to stock differences between the two stores.

Several months ago, I purchased some brand name items from the Coles Dandenong Princes Highway then purchased more items from Woolworths Dandenong Princes Highway. The self serve checkout voice said "Please scan all items in your trolley" with the checkout promptly locking up. The shop assistant unlocked the checkout after I furnished proof of purchase some time earlier.

Well that result was unexpected! I expected to be locked in, much to my disappointment. The only thing I can try next is to actually "shoplift" and see if these buggers actually work! I'm umming and ahhing about taking that course of action!

Personally l would not try shoplifting. The outcome may be worse than expected. A fine, banned from the store & whatever else they decide to throw at you. Seasons Greetings.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Yeah, but I think it's common knowledge that I like testing the boundaries. But my personal jury is still out on the "shoplifting" saga.

EDIT: I almost forgot! Enjoy your Christmas and New Year!

 

[MariaG]

I've often encountered these gates and need staff members to help me leave every time. I have to use a mobility scooter when shopping and it is wider than the gates allow! Each time the gates close either as I reach them or when I'm half way through them! I've paid for my purchases each time as I always do, but still these silly gates trap me instore until at least 2 sometimes 4 or more shop attendants can get them open to allow me to leave! NOT HAPPY COLES!

One word....Discrimination

 

[mylittletibbies]

One word....Discrimination

I don't understand if this lady needs a mobility scooter, why doesn't she go through the manned checkout.
I wouldn't call it discrimination, I'd call it bad decision making on her part.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I don't understand if this lady needs a mobility scooter, why doesn't she go through the manned checkout.
I wouldn't call it discrimination, I'd call it bad decision making on her part.

I'll sit on the fence with this one. I forget to take my metal tape measure to determine the width this morning. Probably because I couldn't find it. The gated exit is noticeably narrower than the entry by at least 50 %. Some larger mobility scooters may not be able to get out!

 

[Vio Kot]

There are two Coles in my area within a kilometre of each other. One with and one without these dumb gates .

I will put this thing to the test by making purchases at the gateless Coles then making more purchases at the gated one.

Let's see if gates lock me in. If I'm locked in, I will be armed with the receipt from the gateless one as proof of purchase. Then I will embark on a 60 second tirade at the store security for all to hear and see.

Can't wait for the fun to start!

Why

 

[Vio Kot]

Encountered these gates the other day for the first time. Annoying but I had nothing to worry about so just laughed it off with the guy also waiting to get out. You don't do anything wrong whats the problem, only the guilty complain or the bored

 

[Veggiepatch]

Encountered these gates the other day for the first time. Annoying but I had nothing to worry about so just laughed it off with the guy also waiting to get out. You don't do anything wrong whats the problem, only the guilty complain or the bored

As I mentioned previously, it serves as social experiment designed to shed some light on a contentious subject. That is evident by the reaction to these gates by members of the general public.

Same goes for looking at yourself at self serve checkouts. I did not give consent to Coles, et al, taking my image and neither have you.

I'm not a ranting civil libertarian by any means but I do draw the line in reference to one's right to privacy, based on ethical and moral grounds.

It's too early in the morning to engage in such a discussion and it's taking my attention away from the Al Jazeera news. But that's my fault!