Sainsbury's has the power to ban shoppers for life from every one of its supermarkets and Argos stores nationwide – a sanction now facing 79-year-old customer Rita Seymour after staff at her local branch in Hook, Hampshire, accused her of being rude and 'pinching' her shopping. The retired customer services worker, who says she has shopped there for years, was told in June she was no longer welcome on any Sainsbury's property.
The fallout began after what was supposed to be a routine weekly trip, during which the pensioner, who typically spends between £80 ($100) and £100 ($125) per visit, tried to buy a lottery ticket at the small items counter. Although she immediately produced her receipt to show she had already paid for her groceries, she later received a formal letter permanently withdrawing her right to enter any company premises, a decision she is now determined to challenge.
