A host of local Sainsbury shoppers have slammed the supermarket giant after they made the decision to install security gates that force them to scan customers receipts before they exit the store.

Sainsbury supermarket, located on King’s Street Lane in Winnersh, is one of the stores which has been subjected to the new security measures.

The Winnersh branch catering for families from both Reading and Wokingham offers a full range of products including a Starbucks cafe, homeware and clothing.

Their new barriers prevent customers from leaving the self-service area without scanning their receipt.

Bracknell News:

This has enraged residents both locally and nationally who have dubbed it an ‘unexpected, unwelcome surprise’ when trying to exit the store.  

Local Winnersh shopper, James Guest who visit the store on a regular basis said: “I can see the point of it when it comes to preventing shoplifting but for those who don’t normally take a receipt it’s a bother.

“I always forget my receipt especially if I’m just dropping in for something and again today, I had to go back to the till for it just to get out of the store.”

Another shopper, Tyra Averin from Kiev said: “It’s rather inconvenient. Today I had already put the receipt in my bag and then packed everything on top of it. When I got to the barriers, I then had to completely unpack my bag to scan the receipt and leave the store.

“It’s just a waste of time for people who want to do a quick shop.”

Other Sainsbury’s branches that have introduced the new barrier system outside Berkshire include Balham. One customer said that it gives a ‘bad consumer experience vibe’ within the store.

Bracknell News:

According to the British chain store these were installed as just one of the security measures within a small number of their stores at the self-service check out area.

They were first spotted across the UK in December 2022 after being installed in various European cities.

A spokesperson from Sainsbury said: “It is just one of a range of security measures. It is used in a small number of our stores at our self-service checkout areas.”

According to the latest police figures there have been 56 incidences of shoplifting in the last 12 months and seven incidences occurring in March 2023 within the Winnersh area.