Sainsbury’s West Hove Superstore: security gates with receipt scanning

Customers have raised concerns about the measure, which is expected to be introduced at West Hove supermarket in Sainsbury.

A message at the gates, which are not yet activated, asks shoppers to scan a barcode to exit.

The new gates are believed to have been installed following a spike in theft at the shop just off Old Shoreham Road in Portslade.

Bar code scanners are attached to the gates (Image: NQ staff)

However, the gates have prompted fears that people will end up being “held hostage” until they buy an item.

Lorraine Osborne lives near the supermarket and drops by regularly to do her shopping – she is now considering boycotting Sainsbury’s.

She said: “When I first saw these a few days ago, I saw them and I was like, ‘Wait a minute, this is different.’

“I’ve noticed the barrier and see they have a scanner. It seems that once you’re in business, you’re trapped.

“It’s pretty worrying. Many older people will not be able to use the receipt or understand how to use this system.

“Won’t you be able to shop? Does that mean they’re locked in the store?

“I have an elderly neighbor who always comes and asks me, ‘How do I do this, how do I do this, how do I open my email?’ – I think they would have trouble scanning a receipt.”

Signs at the gates state that customers must scan the barcode on their receipts to exit the exit (Image: NQ staff)

Lorraine, who is an accountant, wondered what the new gates would mean for people just browsing the shop or visiting the on-site cafe.

It is not known when the new gates will be activated, but it is assumed that there will be special starting points and help for people who have not made a purchase.

A spokeswoman for Sainsbury’s said: “This is not new and is just one of several safety measures.

“It’s used in a small number of our stores.”

For security reasons, the supermarket was unable to provide any further information about the new gates.

Sainsbury’s West Hove Superstore is one of the city’s largest supermarkets and stocks thousands of products across a range of categories.