Aldi shoppers have been reacting to new signs and security protocols in the low-cost supermarket. As well as removing bags for life from shelving under the conveyor belts, new checkout instructions have been posted in stores.
Branches of the store have been asking for carrier bags to be empty and trolleys to be clear when going through the tills., BirminghamLive reports. Shoppers are already having to ask the cashier if they want bags for their shopping.
One shopper on social media warned others after noticing a sign had been put up at their local supermarket in Swindon. It read: "When proceeding to the cashier, please ensure all products are placed on the till belts, your carrier bags are empty, and your trolley is clear. Thank you for your cooperation."
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It is understood this is a temporary measure to tackle problems with shoplifting. One cashier at an Aldi in Cheltenham said bags for life had been removed from the shelves because of thefts.
Also in Cheltenham, one shopper said earlier in the week: "This morning the bloke serving me said some customers are refusing to adhere to the ‘show us your empty bags’ rule.
"In my queue, some of the other customers seemed baffled and rather irritated by the new system."
Sharing a photograph of the sign in a popular shopping Facebook group, Aldi shopper Anna Maria said: "Saw this by the till at Aldi Mead Way, Swindon. First time I’ve seen it so thought should take pic. Seen many posts on bag checks etc."
The post was met with over 200 comments and many were supportive of Aldi for clamping down on thefts. One person replied: "We've had this for a while in Milton Keynes due to people stealing."
A second person said: "They have so many thefts now it's a disgrace. How people walk into a shop and walk out not paying. I don't blame Aldi."
Others were unhappy with the new measures, as one person said: "Well Home Bargains is right next door to our Aldi in Dundee. Sometimes I go into HB first and my trolley has bags in it when I get into Aldi, nothing I can do about it. If they don’t trust me, will be time to shop elsewhere."
One shopper commented: "I always leave my bulky duplicates in my trolley, and I'll continue to do so." And another wrote: "We got asked to open our bags the other week, I wasn’t very happy because the whole time my husband had them folded in four under his arms."
Aldi previously told BirminghamLive that bag checks are 'not a national policy, but added: "Where necessary, checks are sometimes introduced at individual stores as a short-term measure in response to a local issue."
A spokesperson said that checks are only conducted 'with the customers’ permission and should only cover the bags they’re using to pack their shopping, not handbags or other personal bags. BirminghamLive understands that the policy is not a new one, however individual stores have some discretion to introduce anti-theft measures where necessary.
Aldi has been contacted for comment.
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