Greggs is cracking down on shoplifting by pulling cold sandwiches and bottled drinks from its self-serve fridges. The popular bakery chain will now keep these items behind the counter in a trial at select UK stores hit hardest by anti-social behaviour.
Grab-and-Go No More at Greggs
The move, confirmed on Monday, aims to cut theft at high street shops. A Greggs spokesperson said,
“This is one of a number of initiatives we are trialling across a handful of shops which are exposed to higher levels of anti-social behaviour.”
Customers won’t lose out on their favourite snacks though. Greggs promises its full range of tasty value favourites will still be available — just from behind the counter. The spokesperson added,
“The safety of our colleagues and customers remains our number one priority.”
Retail Crime Crisis Sparks Tough Measures
This change echoes a wider retail war on shoplifting. Big names like Co-op and Tesco have also reported rising thefts and tightening security.
Though Greggs hasn’t named which branches will trial the new setup, industry insiders believe it will focus on urban stores hit hardest by crime and disorder.
Convenience Takes a Hit, But Safety Comes First
Customers may face an extra step to get their chilled treats, but Greggs assures all popular options remain on offer. The bakery hasn’t said how long the trial will last or if it could roll out nationwide based on results.
