[Reason077]

> “It's the same in most large cities. Of course this is paid for at the till...”

I think it can actually save you money.

I’ve lived in London flats where there were multiple large supermarket brands (Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, ASDA) all within easy walking distance. And smaller corner convenience stores like Tesco Express and Co-op and even Amazon’s one. And also some of the discounters (Iceland, Aldi) only slightly further afield.

If you want to save money you just go to whatever supermarket(s) have the best offers on whatever you want to buy. Waitrose, for example, would often have good deals on olive oil and coffee beans but tended to be expensive for fruit & veg. So I’d buy my olive oil and coffee there but go elsewhere for my apples and tomatoes etc… easy to do when all the shops are close together and you’re walking by them anyway!

Besides, you’d be mad to drive to a supermarket in London anyway, waste of time even if you’re buying more than you can carry: just order online, free delivery is usually available (with a minimum order value).

[Ancapistani]

Coming from an American perspective, this seems nuts:

> So I’d buy my olive oil and coffee there but go elsewhere for my apples and tomatoes etc… easy to do when all the shops are close together and you’re walking by them anyway!

You're just walking into a supermarket carrying bags from other stores? Do that here and you'll quickly have "personal security" in the form of loss prevention following you around the store - if they don't stop you at the door.

[Reason077]

> ”You're just walking into a supermarket carrying bags from other stores?”

Yes. This is 100% not a problem in any place I’ve ever lived. What else are you going to do with your bags? It’s not like you can check them at the door!

Some UK supermarkets now let you just walk around and self-scan your purchases using an app, skipping the check out. So I just pack the things straight into my bag or backpack as I go (no basket or cart), pay, and walk out.

Very occasionally it gets flagged up for a random security check when you go to pay, which just means an employee scans 3 random items from your bag to make sure they match what you scanned. But usually I just walk out straight past the security station and they don’t raise an eyebrow.

(Besides, if security are suspicious about you, they can just keep an eye on you from the back office CCTV anyhow. No need to follow you around the store!)

[badpun]

It's not a problem where I live (Poland). If you're worried about it, you can show the content of your bag to security as you enter the store, and also carry receipt from the previous store.

[LargoLasskhyfv]

Then you'd show them the cashiers slip, and/or it's obvious because the packages are of a brand they don't carry anyways.

[Ancapistani]

That’s not why it’s seen as suspicious, though. Shoplifters use large bags to conceal their stolen merchandise.

I drive a Jeep, and therefore don’t have a secure place to keep valuables. I’ve been followed in stores many times because of that, even though I make sure that it’s zipped up and worn over both shoulders in an attempt to reduce suspicion.

[Reason077]

Seems weird to me that they actually physically follow people around in this age of CCTV, though. Firstly you’re going to be annoying / intimidating / insulting a lot of legitimate customers, who will shop elsewhere if they don’t feel welcome. And secondly because it must waste a lot of staff time?

In busy UK supermarkets (and malls) there will usually be security guard(s) near the exit. Sometimes they have a little security station where they can monitor the cctv themselves, or otherwise a radio in their ear connected to a back office.

If something suspicious is seen they’ll stop people as they leave and ask to have a look in bags etc.

[Ancapistani]

Part of it is that they are intending to be intimidating - they want to be seen, to let the person know they're watching.

Ironically, at least for large retailers like Walmart, if they suspect you're actually stealing things they won't physically follow you. Instead, they will monitor CCTV and intercept you at the door. In fact, it goes further than that - they'll allow you to leave if the amount you stole is less than the threshold for a felony. They'll build a profile on you, using facial recognition, and intercept you in the future when the aggregate theft amount reaches the threshold.

This is all very variable, depending on the state, region, city, or even neighborhood. Some Walmarts have no visible security presence while others have multiple uniformed police officers (hired via private contract) at the entrances.

[Reason077]

> "Part of it is that they are intending to be intimidating - they want to be seen, to let the person know they're watching."

Yes, but what's the point of this? Why risk intimidating legitimate customers? You're just going to offend them and they'll shop elsewhere next time, so you lost revenue.

And if they are a thief, don't you want to actually catch them doing it so you can ban them from the store, or prosecute?

The most successful shoplifters are probably the ones who blend in and don't look suspicious anyway.

[mytailorisrich]

If you can save by going to Waitrose you know you're in a massively expensive area ;)

[Reason077]

If you stick to the offers at Waitrose it can be surprisingly cheap! (And the fish counter after 9pm on a Friday can be a gold mine of delicious deals for seafood lovers!)

Of course once they have you in the store they’re relying on you buying all the other overpriced (and highly profitable) items…