Supermarkets discussion

[High Dyke]

Just another reason not to use or trust those gadgets that are supposed to make your shopping experience quicker.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Just another reason not to use or trust those gadgets that are supposed to make your shopping experience quicker.

The pitfalls of self scanners are probably no worse than errors at the checkout. In my experience any reduced items can get charged incorrectly at full price because the new barcode has not been placed correctly (human error). Usually the new bar code sticker does not cover the entirety of some of the bars on the original barcode. That is a problem regardless of checkout, self checkout or self scan.

With the advent (in my Morrisons at least) of electronic shelf edge price labels I expected I could no longer benefit from a reduced item not having its shelf edge label replaced. What I am suspecting now is if the electronic shelf edge label is not always getting updated - I have seen out of date prices but also the wrong item on the label. I am seeing a few instances and have watched the update process and it is more often than not unsuccessful. Main problem is a manually triggered update takes so long that the shelf filler person is wasting time waiting and checking to see if the electronic label has updated after they trigger it. So a personal bar code scanner for me would be convenient - currently if it is something I want to check the price of I go to self scan to scan the item and then abandon. A bit anti-social of me.

 

[jon0844]

Main problem is a manually triggered update takes so long that the shelf filler person is wasting time waiting and checking to see if the electronic label has updated after they trigger it. So a personal bar code scanner for me would be convenient - currently if it is something I want to check the price of I go to self scan to scan the item and then abandon. A bit anti-social of me.

There appear to be different types of shelf edge tags, some that require a 'point and shoot' approach to update the display - and others that form a mesh network and allows you to remotely manage them all.

For dynamic pricing you'd need the latter.

 

[Peter Sarf]

There appear to be different types of shelf edge tags, some that require a 'point and shoot' approach to update the display - and others that form a mesh network and allows you to remotely manage them all.

For dynamic pricing you'd need the latter.

Agreed. According to a few explanations and demonstrations in Morrisons shelf edge labels can be updated either way. Either by a push of price changes (overnight apparently) OR by a staff member scanning the product and then scanning the barcode along the bottom edge of the electronic shelf edge label (which seems to have a slow/clunky response rate).

For shelf replenishment not necessarily with the same product then point and shoot needs to happen. With the text description of the product being smaller and harder to read on the smaller screens it is easier for the shopper to read the price without checking the description matches !.

 

[BuhSnarf]

Agreed. According to a few explanations and demonstrations in Morrisons shelf edge labels can be updated either way. Either by a push of price changes (overnight apparently) OR by a staff member scanning the product and then scanning the barcode along the bottom edge of the electronic shelf edge label (which seems to have a slow/clunky response rate).

For shelf replenishment not necessarily with the same product then point and shoot needs to happen. With the text description of the product being smaller and harder to read on the smaller screens it is easier for the shopper to read the price without checking the description matches !.

They are e Paper based so very similar technology to kindles which means that they do not use any power unless they are actively doing something. This is why the update process seems "clunky" - they will only wake up and update every few minutes to reduce battery usage. The last thing you need is all the batteries needing charging all the while.

They're not really there to be able to update prices multiple times a day, they're to reduce the need of a colleague (or multiple in big stores) who would spend all day printing, separating and trapsing around the store having to replace labels when prices change.

 

[Bald Rick]

On a slightly different subject, I’m used to security tags on certain products in supermarkets, usually Champagne, certain spirits (albeit not the ones I drink), and more recently some fresh meat products and even large packs of Lurpak.

But I have just seen full security tags on single cans of Red Bull in Tesco.

 

[Buzby]

On a similar tack, I thought I treat myself to a steak from Sainsbury’s ’Taste the Difference’ range - the pack warned ‘Security Protected’ and there was a large black dongle attached. After going through the checkouts (and having the tag unattached) I trolley’d to the exit - setting of the RF detector alarm. It turns out there’s a patch built in to the label, BUT as it’s hidden, they stick a more visible one on top!

 

[Bald Rick]

On a similar tack, I thought I treat myself to a steak from Sainsbury’s ’Taste the Difference’ range - the pack warned ‘Security Protected’ and there was a large black dongle attached. After going through the checkouts (and having the tag unattached) I trolley’d to the exit - setting of the RF detector alarm. It turns out there’s a patch built in to the label, BUT as it’s hidden, they stick a more visible one on top!

Three times now in recent months I’ve bought a bottle with a security thing attached, and got them home still attached (after paying, for clarity!)

Case 1, it was in a box where I didn’t realise.

Case 2, it was in a box, I did realise, gave it to the assistant to remove, he gave me the box back with lid closed, but evidently hadn’t removed it.

Case 3, (last week), I gave it to the assistant, and she couldn’t remove it using the magnet tool. I offered to try, I couldn’t either. Was advised to carry on with it still attached!

 

[py_megapixel]

the staff member was speculating that it may have picked up the barcode that’s on the bottom of the shelf edge ticket.

In Tesco these are a bit confusing.

The lose bakery products (croissants, rolls etc.) have two barcodes on the shelf edge. One is the product barcode for the croissant or whatever, which you are supposed to scan if using a handset. The other is used for some internal purpose (presumably to do with tracking the shelf edge labels themselves?), and if you scan it you get an error message that tells you not to scan shelf edge barcodes!

There is no marking on the shelf to indicate which is which. It took me a while to realise there even was a barcode one could scan in the first place (since the error message put me off trying) and even now, I can never remember which is which, having to resort to trial and error.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Three times now in recent months I’ve bought a bottle with a security thing attached, and got them home still attached (after paying, for clarity!)

I’ve just had that on a bottle of Bollinger. Annoyingly it meant I couldn’t do photos on the socials to show off.

The security tags are pointless anyway, so many random things set the gates off that even the security guards seem to ignore it. Either my Garmin smartwatch or my iPhone sets them off in half the shops I go in.

 

[Bald Rick]

I’ve just had that on a bottle of Bollinger. Annoyingly it meant I couldn’t do photos on the socials to show off.

Probably for the best if Bollinger

The security tags are pointless anyway, so many random things set the gates off that even the security guards seem to ignore it. Either my Garmin smartwatch or my iPhone sets them off in half the shops I go in.

Curiously, my Tesco credit card used to set off the alarms - but only in Tesco!

 

[jon0844]

These days you'd get more engagement if you left the tag on show and bragged that you stole it.

Talking of which, there was a trend a decade or so ago where people wore clothes and hats with tags still on to pretend they'd stolen them, so it's not actually a new thing but now you can definitely make money by rage baiting.

 

[davews]

Tesco lamb chops have a security strip printed on the back of the label - I think the checkout lady is supposed to tear the strip to disable it. I have set the alarms off several times with these, the security guy just smiles and lets me through after I joke about their expensive meat.

 

[BuhSnarf]

Usually the security device on things like steak etc is a metal coil or NFC tag that can often be small, usually there is a device at the till point which deactivates it, but they are prone to being missed depending on the cashier.

 

[Peter Sarf]

They are e Paper based so very similar technology to kindles which means that they do not use any power unless they are actively doing something. This is why the update process seems "clunky" - they will only wake up and update every few minutes to reduce battery usage. The last thing you need is all the batteries needing charging all the while.

They're not really there to be able to update prices multiple times a day, they're to reduce the need of a colleague (or multiple in big stores) who would spend all day printing, separating and trapsing around the store having to replace labels when prices change.

All those batteries !. I agree they can only really be looking for input every so often.

I did notice in Morrisons that there is what looks like a small switch/button on these shelf edge eLabals. I thought that would make sense if it was a button to press when doing an update during the day (for example when replenishing stock). BUT no. I have seen it is a red LED that sometimes flashes or stays on. I figured it is to highlight to a picker where a product is that they cannot find. One of them confirmed that is what it was for, I am awaiting more explanation on that one though.

On a slightly different subject, I’m used to security tags on certain products in supermarkets, usually Champagne, certain spirits (albeit not the ones I drink), and more recently some fresh meat products and even large packs of Lurpak.

But I have just seen full security tags on single cans of Red Bull in Tesco.

Crickey, same here - in parts of Croydon.

Maybe it says something about the type of person that drinks red bull.
It is probably easier to steal a can of red bull than come up against the age restricted products faff - especially if you are young !.

On a similar tack, I thought I treat myself to a steak from Sainsbury’s ’Taste the Difference’ range - the pack warned ‘Security Protected’ and there was a large black dongle attached. After going through the checkouts (and having the tag unattached) I trolley’d to the exit - setting of the RF detector alarm. It turns out there’s a patch built in to the label, BUT as it’s hidden, they stick a more visible one on top!

Oh yes visible deterrent. It is why I had a hulking great semi circular steering wheel lock on my Carlton. To put off those who thought a car of that age did not have an imobiliser. Would not stop a professional thief BUT was to put off those who would otherwise trash the steering lock only to discover the car would not start.

The more subtle but cleverer anti theft aids need to be less easy to see and defeat. Trouble is a cashier is not going to see them either !.

Usually the security device on things like steak etc is a metal coil or NFC tag that can often be small, usually there is a device at the till point which deactivates it, but they are prone to being missed depending on the cashier.

That does seem to be the case.

 

[jon81uk]

Maybe it says something about the type of person that drinks red bull.
It is probably easier to steal a can of red bull than come up against the age restricted products faff - especially if you are young !.

Yes a large part of the issue for Red Bull is under 16s stealing them.

 

[BuhSnarf]

Maybe it says something about the type of person that drinks red bull.
It is probably easier to steal a can of red bull than come up against the age restricted products faff - especially if you are young !.

Red Bull has always been a easily steelable item - in fact when I worked in retail about 20 years ago it was a common staff-stolen item, usually by a young kid who'd started a long shift after being on the lash all night.

The issue currently being faced is because energy drinks are currently age restricted and so a teen will just slip one in their coat sleeve rather than attempt to fool the cashier that they're old enough.

 

[SuspectUsual]

The issue currently being faced is because energy drinks are currently age restricted and so a teen will just slip one in their coat sleeve rather than attempt to fool the cashier that they're old enough.

Exactly this.

Government legislation driving cost into retailers

See also tobacco track and trace

 

[jon81uk]

Exactly this.

Government legislation driving cost into retailers

See also tobacco track and trace

Red Bull isn’t currently age restricted by legislation, it is stores implementing their own policies for now.

 

[styles]

Red Bull isn’t currently age restricted by legislation, it is stores implementing their own policies for now.

This. It's coming into force in England from April next year. Only England though. Maybe youths will take the bus/train from Chester to Shotton to stock up!

 

[D6130]

This. It's coming into force in England from April next year. Only England though. Maybe youths will take the bus/train from Chester to Shotton to stock up!

....or Carlisle to Gretna Green!

 

[styles]

....or Carlisle to Gretna Green!

Ah, the modern day equivalent of a runaway marriage. Sharing a can of blue Relentless, how romantic.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Government legislation driving cost into retailers

People were stealing Red Bull long before the current age focus on energy drinks was a thing.

People steal Red Bull because a) it is very expensive for what it is, and b) it is very easy to steal. No other reason.

 

[SuspectUsual]

People were stealing Red Bull long before the current age focus on energy drinks was a thing.

People steal Red Bull because a) it is very expensive for what it is, and b) it is very easy to steal. No other reason.

My point isn't about theft, its about the Government dealing with the perceived misuse of a stimulant by children by forcing retailers to manage it for them

 

[Tetchytyke]

My point isn't about theft, its about the Government dealing with the perceived misuse of a stimulant by children by forcing retailers to manage it for them

But Red Bull isn't actually an age restricted product. Retailers who have put in an age restriction have done it voluntarily. So why are we blaming government for a retailer's commercial decision?

And, in any case, why is it any different to any other age-restricted product? "You can't sell [product] to kids" isn't exactly a new concept, is it?

 

[SuspectUsual]

But Red Bull isn't actually an age restricted product. Retailers who have put in an age restriction have done it voluntarily. So why are we blaming government for a retailer's commercial decision?

Because they all know the legislation is coming and there have been a lot of off the record conversations with industry groups and leaders

More widely, it’s *another* set of products that have to be treated differently, and the only one that is actually popular with under 16s. There is a very low level of attempted alcohol purchasing by those not entitled, and virtually nil tobacco because it’s all behind the counter

However, in the scheme of things, this is about data and process for the retailers and doesn’t require anything systemically new. Whereas tobacco track and trace on the other hand…..

 

[Tetchytyke]

Whereas tobacco track and trace on the other hand…..

Tobacco track and trace has been around for several years now. It isn't new, though I think the penalties have stepped up.

And, let's be honest here, it has only come about as the direct result of the widespread sale of counterfeit or illegally imported tobacco by retailers.

More widely, it’s *another* set of products that have to be treated differently, and the only one that is actually popular with under 16s.

Blue WKD was popular back when I was a kid. The individual bottles were (and probably still are) easily shoved up a jumper. And for those of us who didn't want to steal, we all knew the offies who weren't quite so fussed about age checks.

 

[jon81uk]

Because they all know the legislation is coming and there have been a lot of off the record conversations with industry groups and leaders

I think many supermarkets implemented age restriction on energy drinks long before they knew legislation was coming. To some extent the legislation is coming because so many supermarkets already age restricted them that it makes sense all stores should be.

its about the Government dealing with the perceived misuse of a stimulant by children by forcing retailers to manage it for them

This isn't a new thing? Many products have been age restricted for a long time. Also I would blame bad parenting more than the government, if parents educated and looked after children better the government wouldn't intervene.

 

[SuspectUsual]

This isn't a new thing? Many products have been age restricted for a long time

It’s another thing. Another category. One that looks more like a legitimate category than any other banned one.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jul 2026 ==

Tobacco track and trace has been around for several years now. It isn't new, though I think the penalties have stepped up.

And, let's be honest here, it has only come about as the direct result of the widespread sale of counterfeit or illegally imported tobacco by retailers.

It’s relatively recent. From memory 2021. An awful, botched specification from the government and a system that repeatedly fell over at their end which meant we (I worked in logistics for the Coop) had millions of pounds of tobacco stock sitting in a warehouse but we had to nil deliver stores because the government system wouldn’t acknowledge receipt of inbound stock for days at a time

And yes some backstreet retailers did import unmarked stock. And they should have had the book thrown at them for it.

But no, the good guys (all the big legitimate retailers) had to spend millions of pounds on implementing a new system, change all the ways of working to incorporate additional steps which added operating cost for ever, and all for absolutely zero benefit

 

[dgl]

Seems Lidl have a new style of self service checkout with a large portrait screen rather than the usual smaller squarer style, they've been fitted as replacements to the originally fitted ones at Portland whilst also increasing the number of them by more than double. Didn't buy anything so haven't used one yet.

Also it seems that some of the assisted self-service checkouts in Tesco can have the screen/scanner/scales part rotated so it can be used as a regular checkout as required.