To be put off shopping by some security guards

[NoLongerAskedForID]

I was shopping today, the only one in an aisle of baby foods, perusing the wide range at my leisure.

Suddenly a security guard situations himself at the ends of the aisle, resolutely staring towards the rest of the shop but perpendicular to me. He stayed there like a statue the entire time I was there.

I felt under scrutiny and looking through the range was no longer enjoyable. I wasn't nervous, just really really annoyed

I had to go to another aisle some distance away before paying and who wanders past but me security guard. At this point I politely asked him if he was following me. There wasn't much of an exchange because really, what's the point.

I know they have an important job to do. I know they need to make their presence known and yes profiling (woman with pram) is probably part of their job. But the way in which he acted was essentially saying "I suspect you, I have my eye on you."

Aibu to take exception to being ear marked as a potential (likely?) shop lifter and placed under such scrutiny? I wanted to quietly shop and instead I was treated like a criminal. I honestly don't have a chip on my shoulder, I'd like to think I'm relaxed in general and understanding of the fact that people have jobs to do, we should respect that even if it's unpalatable (parking wardens etc).

However I just can't accept this. It really really puts me off shopping and makes me more likely to put down my stuff and walk away, or shop elsewhere (online.)

How annoying. Some years ago,there was a supermarket that I shopped in regularly (long gone now). A new security guard started there one day,and every time,and I mean every sodding time I went in this shop,the bloody security guard would start stalking me. I didn't have a pram/pushchair with me,wasn't carrying a large bag,or wearing a voluminous coat with many pockets . But for some reason he singled me out. He wore one of those peaked caps,and had it jammed so far down over his face,he practically had to tilt his head back in order to see where he was going. He made me feel thoroughly uncomfortable,but I put up with it for a few weeks. Then one day (I was probably suffering from PMS!) I snapped and confronted him,and said 'Why do you keep following me? You're making me feel uncomfortable and I haven't done anything wrong'. He looked at me with total surprise on his face and denied it! But he didn't do it again. Maybe say something OP,if it keeps happening? Security guards aren't supposed to frighten away innocent customers!

I worked in retail, large well known store in Bristol. The security guards were mostly black, but the head of security and all managers white, they were definitely without question racist. They always watched black/asian customers on cctv so caught more black asian shoplifters then used this to show that they were right in there prejudice.

I've been followed a couple of times. It didn't bother me, if anything I felt safe knowing security guards were around.

I have also complained to Boots twice about being followed, and one to Marks and Spencer. I'm not going to put up with it any more! I don't have a pram, big coat, huge bags....nothing, so WTF is it about me? They have security cameras too, so hey, why not watch me on those?? For too long I just presume it was 'coincidence' that the guard would turn up wherever I was, and now I'm utterly sick of it, so if it happens several times, I will complain.

As a side note, I returned to Lidl tonight, determined to confront the guard if he followed me, as per unsusal. It was a different guard and I was allowed to shop untailed!!

Blame the thieves. Shoplifting is now so out of control that literally everyone fits the profile and everyone's a suspect. Retail staff have to empty their pockets, purses, handbags at the end of a shift to prove they haven't stolen from their employer. I've had to remove my shoes, lift up my top, take off the back of my phone (checking for stolen cash). One security guard rifled through my purse and read my shopping list. Being stared at in a shop doesn't bother me.

Glad it's not just me at Boots! Less security, more the assistants who pop up out of nowhere if I browse a shelf for more than 5 seconds to ask what I'm looking for.

I've found what I'm looking for and now I'm (trying) to choose what to buy. No, I don't need help. Yes, I'll find you if I do. Yes, I'm really sure I don't need help etc. Nope, no suggestions needed either...

And then the same the next time I stop.

I hate shopping anyway so them turning what should be a 10 minute task into a 30 minute one pisses me right off.

Oddly, I don't get this shit at their in-store make up counters (other than a polite Can I Help You) where I'd expect it more where they need to push their product.

I'm guessing it's a Boots' policy but frankly it makes me feel like I'm being stalked so I go elsewhere instead.

Perhaps I just have one of those faces. I always get stopped at airports too...

It's possible that they've had a lot of baby formula stolen and it's just policy to keep an eye on anyone in that aisle regardless.

Used to happen to me all the time at my old local boots store. I was constantly followed around, and given daggers by the security guard. It really put me off using the store, and I used to spend a lot of money there to buy formula, baby food and baby essentials.
The last time I went in there, as I left the store the security guard came running out and grabbed my arm(!). He accused me of using some body spray, and not paying. False. I only went to the baby aisle and they didn't have what I needed so I left. I told him he had the wrong person, and that he needed to check the CCTV and leave me alone. I walked off, and I never returned. If I wasn't in a rush, than I would have waited around for him to watch the CCTV so I could have got an apology. Wish I'd complained now, I was humiliated with everyone staring (busy Saturday afternoon in a shopping centre).

I find boots a nightmare for this

I was about to say exactly this, Boots is the worst. Our local boots is quite small so there’s no need really to follow someone around as there’s not one place you’d be completely be completely out of view from the security bit, the front desk or the the pharmacy plus the shop assistants walking around restocking. One time the security guard followed me to my car even after watching me pay for the one thing I picked up in the one aisle I went down. I assumed at first he had finished and was heading to his car as it was close to closing but then once o got in my car he stopped me closing the door and asked to search my bags, at the time I didn’t know what to do but let him but once I got home I made a complaint and since then I haven’t noticed anyone following me.

I didn't mention this but it was a boots that I was in!

Glad to know I'm not the only one.

On a serious note, being watched like that (probably profiled because I had a pram) made me realise how someone who is profiled all the time must feel. It must be absolutely awful- my experience is absolutely nothing compared to what they must face, on a regular basis. Some comments here reaffirmed this

I watched a woman with a crouch down behind her pushchair and clothes racks in Monsoon and stuff a load of children's clothes into her bag. I spoke to the woman at the till and she didn't seem bothered. Said it happens all the time. Some shops are obviously easy targets.

Me and DP work in security but not retail however we have the same SIA licence that they do. And I find it funny when they follow us round work especially when or both of us have just finished work and we have our licences on us.

Sometimes our licences are actually higher than the people following us as ours are frontline and theirs are just basic security for retail.

It's ironic that recent headlines decry the end of the high street because of high rents and yet the shops are making it worse for themselves by harassing genuine customers. These over zealous security guards will be putting themselves out of a job!

I don't usually get this even when I've had a buggy or big bags with me. Maybe I look honest (or maybe I'm oblivious). But I sometimes go shopping with my neighbour as he has mobility and MH issues so he struggles to walk round shops and pack stuff. He looks homeless (bad description but people usually assume he is when they don't know him) and we always end up with security guards practically sitting in the trolley with us! It's actually funny how obvious they are, sometimes we have two or three flanking us from all sides and they usually follow us right out to the car and watch us put the bags in. He's the most honest guy you'd ever meet and I always picture the innocent looking shoppers stuffing their bags while the guards are busy following us round.