Gutted I was accused of shoplifting today

[anyoneanyoneanyone]

So I went to Aldi to look for sone antihistamines for my hayfever. I couldn't find them and I was in a rush to get my daughter from her friends. I couldn't get out as I have quite a big pushchair with my toddler in. The queues were so big the only way I could get out was through the entrance. As I was wandering out in my own world a staff member ran out and said excuse me love can I check under your pram? And she did and said it was fine but I sobbed all the way home. I'm a single mum and have been since my daughter was born and life is a struggle. I feel violated and judged and despairing really that they see me like that just because I look young and have a pram. I worked in retail before I had DD so know what it's like but what the hell could I take from Aldi 😳I only went in for sone hayfever wipes ☹️

In Aldi they do random checks to anyone. So I dont think you were targeted

It was purely because you wandered around, had a pram and left via entrance. If you were going via check outs, it wouldn't ring alarm. People try to leave via entrances not to set alarms.
Nothing personal

what the hell could I take from Aldi

Anything they sell which would fit in your pram.

People going into supermarkets and walking out with nothing are very much the minority, so it's not surprising that you were checked.

It isn't anything personal you werent accused they were doing a check, you have to take it on chin.

On your question what would you nick from Aldi I can think of lots of things.

You weren’t accused of anything though? They just did a spot check. Let it go.

You went out the wrong way, so just a check. Nothing to worry about.

I think you need cheering up. This wasn't personal, it's just big business process to check people who leave via the entrance.

I got accused of fare dodging a while ago (which I wasn't) and I felt indignant and irritated but not upset.

Have a bath, a box set and an early night Hope you feel better soon xx

Do you think people don’t shoplift from Aldi!?

I wouldn’t take it personal at all, you were leaving via the entrance empty handed and she wanted to check.

It was just the fact she walked across the car park to ask me when I had left the store. I do understand but maybe it's my ego. It wasn't a guard it was a shop floor staff member

You're being a little bit over anxious here, OP. Don't worry, nobody else will be thinking about it, and it wasn't that anyone 'suspected' you of anything. You came in, walking around and then went out of the entrance, and sometimes people who do that are trying to shoplift. It doesn't mean you were suspected of shoplifting, only that anyone who did the same thing would have been checked.

It’s nothing personal. Combination of having a pram and going out the entrance.

Violated? Massive overreaction.

I find it very hard to walk out of a supermarket empty handed and not look guilty. I've never stolen anything ever.

I really wouldn't upset yourself. Shop lifting is rife so they have to check.

Thank you...the lady literally was very kind and scanned underneath my pram and said it was fine. I guess it's just the fact that as we all are now life is tough and I did feel targeted. Like I feel guilt if I'm in a shop walking past a guard 🫢

The thing was you went out through the in door. Nobody judged you. They checked the pram and sent you on your way.

All sorts of people shop lift so you won't have been targeted for being a young mum.

DD worked at Waitrose and reckoned the worst offenders were middle aged/class women round the make up shelves (hence there always someone there 'rumbling' the shelves).

Don't worry love, so what if a staff member thought that?!

YOU know you didn't steal anything. That's all that matters. The shop worker just felt they needed to do their "due diligence" because you'd gone out the wrong way or whatever.

Don't take it personally.

• I think you need cheering up. This wasn't personal, it's just big business process to check people who leave via the entrance.

I got accused of fare dodging a while ago (which I wasn't) and I felt indignant and irritated but not upset.

Have a bath, a box set and an early night Hope you feel better soon xx*

That's so kind thank you 🥹

You wasn't accused, all Aldi staff are asked to check backs and pram etc
Any place stolen goods can be hidden.

I had been to savers and had a savers bag, she kindly asked to check the bag, of course I obliged as nothing to hide, 5 seconds of time, doing the cahiers job (which they hate doing, I may add)

I’d have told her to go away. You can’t search people outside of the store. Busybody

That's check bags, not backs 🤦🏽‍♀️

Definitely a pram thing, nothing personal OP. I remember Xmas shopping solo with a very grumpy 1 year old. I used the basket underneath to put the things in I couldn't hold...Bloody wish they'd have checked...I was so stressed I genuinely completely forgot to pay for it 😬Had to go back in amd wait another 20 mins in line with a furious baby

You left via the entrance & with a huge pram, of course they're going to check you. Doesn't matter what you look like or how old you are.

what would people steal? Alcohol, nappies, meat.. virtually anything.

They have to wait until you leave the store to actually think you might be taking something, they can't accuse you of shoplifting whilst in middle of shop as you may still intend to pay

Try not to dwell on it , it happens.

I'm not a single mum or a mum at all and I've been checked in shops when I've walked out empty handed. It's not a judgment on you.

For what it's worth, when I worked in a clothes shop years ago we caught a woman shoplifting. She was in her 40s, was dressed immaculately and looked like she could afford whatever she wanted in the shop. There isn't a specific "look" for shoplifters.

I am guessing that that the OP is white :)