To hate shops that don’t allow people not buying anything making it difficult to leave

It’s like this on some shops in Central London (Tesco Express!)

I think it’s because I did that apologetic British thing of so sorry but barrier isn’t opening so opened myself up but yes less chat.

I've done that loads of times with supermarkets - just popped in to use the loo.
All I've ever had to say to security is
"Can you let me through back the barrier please, I just came in to use the loo. Thanks".
I either get a "ok" or they just open it and don't say anything.
No big deal at all.

I would have just asked to be let out - no chat! They can check the CCTV if they think I’ve been lifting! 😂

I no longer go to B&M or Hone Bargains for this reason. I do have complex PTSD though and being trapped terrifies me.

Yeah, I was thinking about my supermarkets in Spain, "salida sin compra" (exit with no shopping).

They do.
Either you walk through the checkouts (sometimes having to say "excuse me I'm just going through") or you go out the same door you came in (sometimes having to ask security to open it).
It's no issue.

Aren't there exits for customers that aren't buying anything? All the big shops here in France have 'sortie sans achat' exits (exit without buying).

The other day I popped into the local Co-Op to use the cash machine and walked out again. A man I held the door open for on the way out said “Nothing take your fancy, no?!” His tone seemed a bit sarcastic. I nervously laughed and said “No, I only needed the cash machine!” and carried on walking.

I spent the whole walk home half confused - was he accusing me of stealing or just making an excuse to talk to a woman - probably the former as I looked like shit - and half worried and annoyed that I’d just let on I had a pocket full of cash.

I hate the scan-to-get-out barriers. I hate feeling trapped. I won’t do scan and pay as you go because I don’t want my trolley checked at the end by an obvious security guard while all the other shoppers stare to see if I’m a criminal.

I used to take a backpack to shop because we don't have a car and my DP is disabled - I would carry what felt like a small child worth of shopping home in that thing. Can’t use it anymore as security guards keep watch on me. It took me a while to realise that was happening and what they were thinking. I’ve had that trusty bag for years, I didn’t think anything of it 😅

Our local B&M is the worst for this 🫠 about a year ago I had my then 3yo son in there with me when he told me that his “tummy felt sicky” 🫠 so I picked him up and attempted to make a speedy exit but I couldn’t get out 🙈😂 There was only one checkout open and it was busy and people just wouldn’t let me pass 🙈 The checkout operator was telling me I had to go back the other way.

He was sick all over the checkout area 🫠🫠

Lidls near me ( Kent) don’t require receipts to get out

Whats going on ?

Many more supermarkets used to do this sort of thing. In the 80s there were frequently turnstiles at the entrance so nobody could leave except by going through the checkouts. I've not idea how wheelchair users were supposed to deal with them!

Our local Sainsbury's do this. And more annoyingly, the receipt scan only works once per receipt, so if the scanner doesn't read it properly the first time, you are stuck until you can get the attention of a staff member, despite having paid in full for your shopping!

I go to Aldi or Lidl at least once a week.
I have always managed to go out the entrance if needed.
Sometimes I've had to ask security to help the doors open for me - which they always do.

For supermarkets like Lidl I imagine not that many people go in for one specific thing and if they don't have it, just leave

I disgaree. I think if you've gone specifically to find something from the "middle of lidl" or the aisle at Aldi, you could easily walk in and out without finding what you wanted.

Is this a stealth boast that you’re so posh you’ve never been to Lidl and don’t know how the doors work? 😵‍💫

I had this ages ago. Popped in a well know big chemist chain to get a few bits n bobs for my holiday. They didn’t have what I wanted so I thought I’d just peruse up n down each aisle for anything else whilst I was there. Didn’t end up getting anything so went to leave and the security guard moved to the door I was headed for…..as I went by he sarcastically said “good afternoon, nothing to take your fancy today then?”
I was in a bit of a trance looking at the time for the parking charges so didn’t really respond. After a bit it hit me that they must’ve assumed I was a shoplifter looking at what was available.
really pissed me off……..never been back to that store since.

Sure, but how many times do you then walk out without anything at all, compared to say clothes shops, or bookshops or whatever?

It's annoying to have to squeeze past people in supermarkets if you aren't buying anything, but you can see why the are designed that way.

B&M is the worst for this. It drives me insane

Go out the door you came in at.

I treat my Aldi as my pop in shop for one or two things i need it is only down the road from me, its cheaper than the other store in my town plus has handy parking normally run in on my way home from work to pick up bread and mil k

I frequently pop in for just one or two things.

For supermarkets like Lidl I imagine not that many people go in for one specific thing and if they don't have it, just leave. People are going in to do the weekly shop, not to casually browse. it's not like its a clothes shop or something where quite a lot of people probably walk out without buying anything.

So on that basis, probably does make more sense to make it harder for shoplifters to do a runner at the cost of being a very minor inconvience to a few people who have not spent any money anyway.

It’s almost all major shops nowadays. Even worse when the gate out only opens when someone has made a payment - Morrisons!