Shoplifting epidemic

The Tesco Supermarket at Holmbush in Shoreham has always randomly checked the receipts of people using their self-scan facility but recently queues formed as they checked everyone. The measures were a response to an epidemic of shoplifting.

There is a growing nationwide shoplifting crisis, with new poll from CouponBirds revealing 38% of shoppers [over one in every three] admit to being dishonest with supermarket self-scan checkouts.

The Shoreham supermarket insisted this is not a regular practice, and was part of a “new trial” for consumers.

While customers at Tesco stores are typically asked to check receipts if a security alarm is triggered, every customer leaving the self service area in Holmbush was challenged by a staff member last weekend.

In 2022, the British Retail Consortium reported that some eight million items were stolen from shops in the UK - double that of five years prior.