Tesco is taking its fight against shoplifting to a whole new level by introducing scanners that many say look more like Heathrow Airport security than supermarket checkouts.
The retailer has rolled out its high-tech “Scan As You Shop” system in selected stores, sparking a mix of excitement and backlash from shoppers.
In Slough, London, one of the latest branches to trial the futuristic system, reactions have been divided.
Some customers praised the innovation, while others compared it to stepping into a prison, with one person bluntly saying the UK is “turning into one big corporate prison system.”
How the New “Scan As You Shop” System Works
The system sounds simple enough.
Shoppers grab a handheld scanner as they enter the store, scan each item as they shop, and then check out quickly without using traditional tills.
But here’s the catch: before completing payment, some customers are randomly selected for what Tesco calls a “service check.”
Staff then verify that everything has been scanned correctly, sometimes weighing the trolley to match the items listed.
According to Tesco, this trial is designed to reduce human error, cut down queues, and stop theft.
A spokesperson explained it would “streamline the checkout experience” while still ensuring honesty in the process.
Shoppers React: Innovation or Invasion?
The rollout has stirred plenty of emotions.
While some welcomed the faster, more efficient process, others found it intimidating.
A TikTok video filmed in Slough went viral after showing off the system, with one caption sarcastically noting Tesco’s “Heathrow-level security checkout.”
Supporters argue that only those with something to hide should feel threatened.
“You should only complain if you’re a thief,” one shopper wrote.
Another added that in areas like Slough, such measures are more than justified.
A Nationwide Shoplifting Battle
Tesco’s move comes at a time when retailers across the UK are struggling with record levels of shoplifting.
From organized gangs raiding stores to individuals sneaking items past tills, theft has become a major headache for supermarkets.
The high-tech checkout systems are part of a broader strategy to clamp down on these growing problems, but they also raise questions about how far companies should go in treating every shopper as a potential suspect.
When Security Measures Go Wrong
While Tesco is trying to innovate, its security push hasn’t always gone smoothly.
Political consultant Andrew Kennedy recently went viral after accusing the company of humiliating him at a Surrey branch.
Kennedy explained that after paying £75.92 through Apple Pay, staff chased him down, insisting he hadn’t paid.
Despite showing proof of the transaction on his banking app, he was accused in front of other shoppers of being a shoplifter.
The experience left him angry, embarrassed, and forced to abandon his trolley.
Customer Demands Apology and Compensation
Kennedy shared his story online, pointing out how damaging such accusations could be for vulnerable shoppers.
He demanded a refund, an apology, and a goodwill donation to mental health charity Young Minds.
Initially, Tesco told him he’d need to travel back to the store for his refund—a 120-mile round trip.
But after widespread criticism, the supermarket chain backtracked, issued a full apology, gave him a gift card, and made the £100 donation he requested.
Tesco Responds to the Controversy
Tesco later admitted that the issue was caused by a faulty scanner that incorrectly flagged Kennedy’s payment.
A spokesperson said the incident “fell below the high standards” they expect from staff and apologized for the distress caused.
Kennedy himself acknowledged the company’s eventual response but reminded his followers that not everyone would have the confidence to fight back against such treatment.
What’s Next for Tesco’s Security Rollout?
The retail giant is pressing ahead with its small-scale trial of the new “Scan As You Shop” hubs.
For Tesco, the aim is to balance speed and convenience with tighter theft prevention.
But with some shoppers applauding the futuristic upgrade and others calling it “creepy” or “prison-like,” it’s clear that public opinion remains deeply divided.