CUSTOMERS are divided over a grocery chain’s new anti-theft policies that include receipt checks and a ban on certain bags.
Some shoppers openly expressed their disdain for the bag ban and other anti-theft policies that Harris Teeter is rolling out.
The changes affect the grocery store chain’s locations in Washington, DC.
Shoppers are now barred from bringing duffel bags and suitcases into stores.
This includes any type of roller bag and oversized backpacks.
However, it was the new receipt checks that the company is implementing that had many shoppers talking.
“I will hand them my receipt and keep walking on out,” one person wrote on Facebook.
“We gotta check ourselves out after waiting in a long line, then show the receipt to someone who could have checked us out, and now we have bag restrictions? [Harris Teeter] is doing THE MOST!”
Another person echoed their concern, writing, “I’m not showing them a receipt, but I will show them my canister of mace on my keychain if they get in my face.”
Other shoppers insisted that the new rules were necessary as retail crime continues to plague stores.
“People who do not want to pay put things in bags they bring in. This is the only way to see that everyone pays before leaving,” one person wrote.
“What’s wrong with a company trying to counter theft? It takes 5 seconds,” another person commented.
The grocery chain believes the new rules will ensure customer safety.
“These measures will help us maintain a safe shopping experience and continue providing the best service and goods at competitive prices to our customers,” a spokesperson told ABC affiliate WJLA-TV.
A Harris Teeter spokesperson told The U.S. Sun that the policies will be in place for the foreseeable.
If theft continues to occur, the store revealed that it might result in higher prices.
The reason behind the new Harris Teeter bag policy
To ensure the safety of shoppers, Harris Teeter announced they were enacting a bag ban policy.
The company wrote, “Harris Teeter is committed to providing the highest quality, freshest products to all customers in the communities we serve. Ensuring a safe shopping environment for both our customers and our valued associates is critical.
“Effective April 24, we will implement improved safety measures at stores in [the] District of Columbia, including the checking of receipts as customers exit the store and a new policy prohibiting suitcases, duffel bags, oversized backpacks, and roller bags.
“These measures will help us maintain a safe shopping experience and continue providing the best service and goods at competitive prices to our customers. We thank our valued associates and customers for their cooperation and patience.”
A RECEIPT CHECK SOLUTION
Sam’s Club has taken a customer-first approach to its anti-theft policy and gotten rid of traditional receipt checks at some stores.
Instead, the wholesale club unveiled new AI-powered machines that scan shoppers’ receipts before they exit the store.
The new technology has gotten overwhelmingly positive feedback, and it has already been introduced to 120 different locations.
Now Walmart customers are begging the company to implement the technology in its locations.
“Great idea. Use it for Walmart too. No more problems with employees fighting with customers who have paid for all their items,” one person wrote on Facebook.
“Walmart next! There’s never any open human checkouts!” another person commented.
“Then stop trying to check my receipt at Walmart!” a third person wrote.