I understand why supermarkets do this, I really do. Theft, especially en masse, is a huge problem, and alcohol is among the most commonly stolen items. The locked shelves even look neat and smart.
However, I find the system hugely off-putting.
I feel like I'm being treated like a naughty child when I have to press the button and wait for a member of staff to get me a bottle of spirits (I like a good cocktail on a weekend).
I cannot go and read the bottle labels and explore new brands and flavours as I need to point at what I want and it is gotten within the shortest time possible before the doors are locked again.
The waiting around is inconvenient. I hate food shopping and try to do it in as little time as possible. I had to wait around a few minutes and felt compelled to make small talk with the elderly gentleman who was also waiting. I hate small talk at the best of times.
The waiting around is embarrassing. It wouldn't be too bad if I could press the button and the thing silently sent a message to a nearby member of staff. Instead, a loud, automatic voice keeps reminding me that they have alerted a member of staff to assist me. Again, for several minutes. I work in a school and prefer to buy my booze discreetly rather than announcing it to the whole shop, which may well contain some of my charges who'd just love to text their mates that Miss is buying raspberry-flavoured vodka.
It inconveniences staff. My local store has massively reduced its workforce since the introduction of self-service tills to the point that only one member of staff (who also has to hand out bags as they get taken, too) who runs around like a headless chicken between 20 tills the entire time. Shelves are barely restocked in busy times as it is and now it's ANOTHER thing on the list of staff to do.
I am a gentle person with a fair bit of patience. Many people around me really are not. So I assume that staff will now face even more abuse due to the inconvenience and waiting times.
I am honestly waiting to see what happens in the long run. Will the gain from less theft make up for the loss in custom? Will it make up for the maintenance and inevitable damage that will occur with these lockboxes? Will other stores have to follow suit as they will now have an increased share of shoplifters because it is far more convenient? Will meat, cheese and other high-value foods be next?
Yes, my liver will probably be grateful because I will drink far less, and my wallet will be happier because on the occasions I do, I will likely switch to wine. But for god's sake, are all the little pleasures in life slowly being taken away from us law-abiding folk because a few arseholes are spoiling it all for everyone else.