Zack Stern

@bluestocking @strngwys my Safeway in (fancy) Oakland put up huge, metal, bolted barricades that restrict entrance to two robotic gates. All closed checkouts are fully blockaded.

The only way to leave without buying is to get someone to open the gate at self-checkout. (If you buy there, you scan a receipt to release it.)

They did this many months ago and so now I shop there like 95 percent less.

Jul 5, 2023 at 1:36amWeb
Show threadpvrJul 5, 2023
@zackstern @bluestocking @strngwys Same thing in San Francisco although just plastic gates you have to scan your receipt to get through. They also have a hired cop most of the time to keep things safe.
Show threadZack SternJul 5, 2023

@pvr wow. I’ll have to try the other Safeway nearby and see if they’ve done the same.

When the barricades were new, I heard some customer agreeing with the employee* about how theft was so bad they just had to do it. My eyes rolled so hard considering all the lost sales they were causing, I’m glad I was uninjured.

*no fault to the employee, even though they seemed on board with the choice