ANGRY shoppers have hit out over a new security system at the Sainsbury’s store in Winnersh which they claim makes them “feel like thieves”.
A number have vowed to boycott the store in King’s Street Lane after being forced to scan their receipts at a barrier in the self-service area.
Failure to do so means they have to ask staff to let them through but they claim only after their purchases are checked.
One Charvil resident who contacted Wokingham Today has refused to return to Sainsbury’s warning the barrier is a health and safety risk.
“When I paid for my shopping I was given the option of not taking a receipt so I didn’t but that meant I was trapped like a prisoner,” he said.
“There was a crowd at the barrier and the staff were not very helpful, telling me it was a new system and we had to get used to it. I don’t like being in crowded conditions and it made me panic. The barriers are a health and safety risk. What would happen if there was an emergency and people couldn’t get through these barriers?
“I have shopped at Sainsbury’s for many years but I haven’t returned since this incident last month and I don’t intend to. Perhaps the supermarket is experiencing problems with shoplifting but these new barriers are an excessive response.”
Another resident from Winnersh said her receipt did not scan and her bag was searched before she was allowed to leave: “It reminded me of airport security but all I had was some cheese and a bottle of wine as I was planning a picnic with friends.
“I took my receipt and put it in my purse then I remembered about the barrier but my receipt wouldn’t scan because I’d scrunched it up and the scanner wouldn’t allow me through. A staff member tried it and it still wouldn’t work. She looked in my bag as if I’d nicked something. I was embarrassed as the self-scan area was packed with people.”
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said she could not state why the barriers had been installed “for security reasons”.
She added: “This is just one of a range of security measures and used in a small number of our stores at our self-service checkout areas. We have dedicated colleague support for customers who need assistance.
“We have updated the technology and there is not an option to refuse a receipt.”
She added Sainsbury’s had received few complaints from shoppers at the Winnersh branch.
