KROGER shoppers have criticized the grocer for its checkout operations, which mirror rival retailer Costco.
Customers took particular issue with two of the grocer’s checkout policies.
1
Self-checkout theft has cost retailers more than $100 billion, according to Investor’s Place.
Because kiosks represent a financial drain, large companies like Kroger have taken preventative measures to reduce the number of thieves.
For example, the grocer followed Costco’s lead and introduced pickup checks at six Kroger locations in the Cincinnati, Ohio area in late May.
Some Kroger customers aren’t fans of the receipt verification policy.
An Ohio shopper in
The six Kroger locations with the new check-in policy include Hyde Park, St. Bernard, Norwood, Oakley, On The Rhine and University Plaza.
Legality of receipt and detention checks
In an effort to reduce retail crime, stores are increasingly turning to checking receipts as customers leave.
Legally, stores can ask to see a customer’s receipts, and members-only stores have the right to demand such checks if customers agree to the terms and conditions authorizing them.
Many legal professionals have evaluated and reached similar conclusions, warning that all states have specific laws.
Generally speaking, stores have Retailer Privilege laws that allow them to detain a person until authorities arrive when there is reasonable suspicion that a crime, such as robbery, has been committed.
Refusal to provide a receipt is not in itself a reason for a store to detain a customer; she must have additional reasons to suspect a client of criminal activity.
Due to the recent nature of receipt checks, there is little concrete legislation regarding the legality of the practice, as it takes time for the law to catch up with technology.
Setliff Law, PC states that “there is no definitive case law specifically relating to the refusal to present a receipt for purchases.”
For stores that misuse the Retailer Privilege, they may face charges of false imprisonment.
“The primary law that applies to these types of wrongful arrest cases is called ‘False Imprisonment,’” the local Hudson Valley attorney explained. Alex Mainetti.
“Of course, you are not literally arrested, but you are detained by a person who does not have the legal authority to detain you and/or wrongfully detains a client.”
It is likely that as store altercations over receipt checks continue, more lawsuits will occur giving clearer definitions and limits to the legality of receipt checks.
“In response to the increase in theft incidents, we recently implemented additional security measures at six Cincinnati-area stores, including periodic receipt checks,” a Kroger spokesperson told Cincinnati Inquisitor.
“Although early in the implementation, we have received positive feedback from associates and customers.”
The grocer confirmed that checks would be periodic, meaning not every customer would need to present a receipt every time they left.
CAUGHT ON CAMERA
Another preventative measure that Kroger has implemented is its self-checkout surveillance cameras.
One shopper on Reddit explained how his local Kroger had tracking cameras above the self-checkout machine to monitor shoppers’ movements.
The customer noted that he had accidentally activated the cameras several times even though he had not stolen anything.
“It plays a video of you seen from above that targets the ‘theft area’ and the self-checkout attendant must review and approve it before proceeding,” they wrote.
“To me, this just marks a hostile shift toward customers.”
Other Kroger shoppers agreed, criticizing the grocer for the security measure.
“You’ve all sunk to a new low! You’re basically accusing self-checkout customers of shoplifting?!?!” A buyer started on X.
“A cashier needs to review video of your checkout? Your store is really losing its appeal. Automatically charging you with a crime.”
Others argued that the preventive measure made checking out “more frustrating than it needs to be” and that if retailers really wanted to curb shoplifting, they should reinstate cashiers.
In other retail news, Sam’s Club members are angry that a controversial policy forces customers to pay more to shop at certain times.
Additionally, a Costco customer dropped off $150 worth of groceries after being turned away because of an “unbelievable” card membership policy.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
