Greggs has removed all customer shelves and self-service arrangements in its Croydon branch, according to multiple reports. Products are now kept behind the tills, with staff picking items for customers. The new system is being trialed in branches in Peckham, Whitechapel, Upton Park, Birmingham, and Wilford, as reported by several media outlets.
The change is a response to rising shoplifting and anti-social behaviour, according to multiple reports. Annual shoplifting offences in the UK have spiralled to over 500,000, according to major media reports. In one notable case, a serial Greggs thief, Adam Gosling, stole almost £2,000 worth of food from a branch in Greenford, west London. Gosling was sentenced to four months suspended for one year, according to major media reports. Greggs has previously hired bouncers at some locations to protect staff and customers from shoplifters, according to major media reports.
The safety of our colleagues and customers remains our number one priority.
Greggs confirmed its full range of products will still be available in affected branches, according to major media reports. A company spokesperson said: "The safety of our colleagues and customers remains our number one priority." The spokesperson added: "This is one of a number of initiatives we are trialling across a very small number of shops which are exposed to higher levels of anti-social behaviour. Customers can expect to see our full range of great value and tasty Greggs favourites available from behind the counter." According to Daily Mirror - News, a shopper described the new look as not what Greggs punters are used to, noting that the only items anyone could take without paying would be sugar, a napkin, or some stirrers.
The number of stores currently trialing the new layout has not been disclosed, and the timeline for the trial and potential expansion remains unclear. It is also unknown what specific anti-social behaviour incidents prompted the change, and how customer feedback has been so far. The cost of implementing this new system has not been revealed.
The new look certainly isn’t what Greggs punters are used to — there’s nothing to nick! The only items anyone could take without paying would be sugar or a napkin and some stirrers.