Fri, 07 Mar 2025

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 Tesco trials giant trolley scales in Gateshead

Trolleys are weighed before checkout to identify any items customers might have missed or scanned twice.
Tesco's trial of giant trolley scales at its Gateshead store has sparked mixed reactions from customers, with some comparing them to airport security checks. The scales weigh trolleys before checkout to identify items that may have been missed or scanned twice while using the Scan as you Shop service. However, some customers are unsure if the technology is aimed at reducing shoplifting or cutting costs by reducing staff numbers. The use of trolley scales has raised concerns among shoppers who feel they are being treated like thieves, with some questioning whether it's a matter of trust between retailers and their customers. Business consultant Ged Futter believes that supermarkets are using technology to prevent thefts due to increased shoplifting rates and the need to reduce staffing costs. The British Retail Consortium has reported a significant rise in customer theft incidents across UK retailers, while separate figures show a 23% increase in shoplifting offences in England and Wales. Retail criminologist Prof Emmeline Taylor suggests that supermarkets are trying to control loss but also notes that many scan-and-go errors can be accidental. Tesco's trial of trolley scales has been met with both positive and negative reactions, with some customers praising their convenience while others are concerned about the impact on customer experience. The use of technology in supermarkets continues to be a topic of debate, with some stores introducing more staffed tills and others removing self-scan options altogether.
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