‘This is depressing,’ say shoppers as Sainsbury’s plans to make big changes with ‘four-step process’ for customers

Shoppers are left disappointed after Sainsbury’s plans to make a major change with a “four-step process” for customers.

The supermarket giant is testing new electronic security cabinets in a bid to tackle theft on the liquor islands.

Sainsbury's could be making a huge change in some stores — Sainsbury’s could be making a huge change in some storesCredit: Getty

The giant retailer is testing new ways to limit thefts on its liquor islandsCredit: Twitter

In tests, customers could use touchscreens to unlock cabinets containing alcoholic beveragesCredit: Twitter

Customers could soon find locked self-serve liquor cabinets in their local stores.

Sainsbury’s could implement new electronic security in some locations to keep thieves away from the liquor isles.

The new technology would ask shoppers to complete a four-step process on a touchscreen to open the cabinet and grab their favorite spirits.

The giant retailer is still testing the American-made system, which tracks when items have been removed.

The Freedom Case technology was developed by American retail technology company Indyme.

And it can also detect how many times the cabinet has been opened and for how long.

The system requires shoppers to scan their loyalty app or card to gain access to the business.

Customers will also have to identify themselves with their mobile phone number or via facial recognition.

However, Sainsbury’s claimed that no facial recognition or customer data will be required as part of the trial.

A Sainsbury’s spokeswoman said: “The version we are testing does not require any customer information, data or loyalty card.”

Testing of the new safety measures has already started at a small number of sites, including one in St. Albans.

A spokesperson told The Sun Online: “We regularly judgement safety measures in our stores and are currently testing cabinets in a small number of branches.

The new security measures come amid a huge wave of shoplifting.

According to the British Retail ConsortiumTheft cases have increased dramatically in recent years – with an average of 45,000 cases per day by 2023.

The rising figures have seen retailers lose as much as £1.8 billion out of pocket.

Premium spirits are known to be among the most targeted items due to their high cost.

But this move has left many loyal shoppers disappointed.

Moving to Social Media X, formerly known as Tweetsaid one: “A great, but depressing thread.”

However, Sainsbury’s is not the only retailer cracking down on thieves.

Aldi was also noted hitting safety protection stickers on £1.20 multi-packs of chocolate after a spate of thefts.

Photos obtained by The Sun from a branch in Zuid London also shows packs of Mars bars, Maltesers, KitKats and Snickers – sold for £1.59 each – given the stickers.

Elsewhere, Ridiculous labels were seen on rolls in a Tesco Express store in the south London – where the shoplifting rate is one of the worst in the country.

a Tesco branch in Birmingham also did his utmost to stop thieves from stealing baby food.

Parents who flocked to Swan Island in Yardley saw boxes placed in metal mesh bags and locked behind huge tags.