Is it just me being put off from shopping in the highstreet because of the constant high alert for shoplifters ??

Couldn't get wound up about it. I know I've not nicked anything so if they're intent on watching me then they're wasting their own time (and their own stock probably, which is likely being nicked by someone else while they're watching me).

As for the 'do you need any help?' as you walk in that's usually coaching by Head Office and done religiously for fear of missing the mystery shopper. It certainly was when I was in retail many years ago.

I've completely stopped going to Aldi because security at my local store was so intrusive, staring and following me around the store, especially when I had my babies pram with me. I've never experienced it anywhere else though.

Tetchy

I used to get followed too when I had a buggy, I'm guessing people use them to hide stuff in the basket. Like you, I used to deliberately take my time, the real shoplifters were probably having a ball while the grumpy arsed security guard was watching me. It wasn't even a nice shop, it was bloody Poundland.

I have had this when I am wearing certain stuff. It is weird and predudice and annoying. I got stopped by security outside boots this summer as I rushed in in a tracksuit and muddy trainers to buy a clarins foundation but they didnt have my colour and i walked out and they searched my bag. Some shop assistant was followijng me and alerted security. Two days later I turned up in my finest and bought 300 quid of stuff and asked for her not to serve me. The look on her face was priceless.

Happens to me all the time. Drives me mad. I now take my phone out and take selfies with them covertly watching me, they tend to stop.

If I answer that, I'm in big trouble 😉

Yes - I did.
The brass neck of some folk is unbelievable.
And, the Cash and Carry chap with his cut price toiletries and a nice sideline in sham marriages and dodgy visas.

TBH I just wouldn't let this bother me, I don't think I'd even notice if shop staff were following me or suspicious as I'd be too focused on shopping and DD. I also often refuse assistance in shops unless I actually need help

Never happened to me, but I mostly shop online I can't bear window shopping or think of much worse this time of year. I did go to Sainsbury's a few weeks ago and was shocked at the amount of people putting stuff in shopping bags and then leaving the store. I've not shopped in-person since about 2018 and it made me feel really uncomfortable.

I've never experienced this!! In fact the total opposite in that I recently went Christmas shopping in the city and something in my bag was setting off all the alarms every shop I went in.
Only one place did the security guy have a half arsed look at my shopping bag.. but then just shrugged when he couldn't find anything.
And I did loiter a bit after I set off the alarms in each place to see if anyone wanted to check.
Still no idea what was setting them off. I didn't steal anything and when I looked at all of the items I bought at the end of the day none seemed to have any security tags left on...
But there was a complete lack of interest beyond one security guard playing peeka boo with my baby in TK Maxx!!

Tbf I never go in Lush..

Perhaps those shops you went in have just had a soate of shoplifters recently??
Seems very odd tho.

I get this all the time when out with my pram. Security guards following me around Boots and Sainsburys. I’m a pretty unremarkable looking woman in my mid-thirties.

I do tend to pick up a basket - even if we only intend to buy one thing - less so if we really are browsing - if we spot something go get a basket first then pick up off shelf.

Think I was taught to do so - and to keep hands out of pockets - as a teen and to look with eyes not hands.

I do remember getting narked in Debenhams before they shut - we were a family group three generation with three teens - and a middle age man loudly knocked some glass over no where near us - and the security and staff started following us round the store everywhere we went - the middle age man flapped around area then left didn't follow him at all.

@teafreedomoctopus no which country are they from

I,can't stand walking into shop and being jumped on anyway, do we want help no?! I don't know anyone who likes it

Never noticed anything of the sort in any shops when I've been doing Xmas shopping.

Given the epidemic of shoplifting I am not surprised stores are being quite intrusive. They risk losing £1000's and need to stop as much as possible. Even this pisses off one entitled woman, making her annual visit for a single bath bomb, who thinks she should be above suspicion.

Yes

I grew a new shadow when I was looking at portable speakers in John Lewis, recently. It was a little unnerving so I had a bit of fun walking round and round the displays, looking more closely at what was available than I had originally intended before buying the thing I'd already decided on before visiting in Fenwick's where it turned out to be a whole 5p cheaper!

They've alarmed the staircases, too, which meant I had to use the annoying and random twin lifts with autistic DS1 when I visited, the other day, as he didn't like the noise and won't use escalators.

I’ve coached my teenagers to keep their hands out of their pockets and not to be too touchy in shops just because they’re in an awkward demographic.

I once got shadowed around an expensive shop when I was a scruffy mum with two under three in a double buggy. It was quite fun. I was just as bored than the security guard so we kept each other entertained for an hour.

Did any of you see the recent Dispatches programme on shoplifting gangs?
It was quite shocking to see them in operation, they literally fly people into the UK to do the robbing. The filmmakers confronted the ringleader in his home country and he actually seemed shocked to be approached because, in his words, there are 1000 people of his nationality all doing the same!

Just as bad was the undercover filming of the Cash & Carry wholesaler from Bedford who said he is very interested in buying large quantities of stolen goods.

Really interesting to see how the criminal economy works, but also totally appalling! And they literally do get away with it, either not serving any prison time or pathetic sentences.

If you fitted the description for someone mentioned over the radio.....

Anyways, never experienced anything like this. I have no issue shopping.