Many retail stores across this country long ago installed self-checkout technology and there is now a growing trend accompanying self-checkout and that is receipt inspections. More and more Canadians are speaking out after experiencing random checks as they leave retailers. Experts say self-checkout has made theft easier at a time when inflation is driving up prices. Shoppers meanwhile feel like they are being unjustly targeted and it has sparked a backlash from some customers who believe their shopping experience is being ruined by self-checkout. Companies who use this practice seem to have no plans of stopping so it’s important for shoppers to know their rights
“Shoppers are not required to stop to engage in receipt checks, except in circumstances where they’re at a store that requires a membership and it’s part of the terms of the membership agreement”
“Stores don’t have the right to detain customers, prevent them from leaving”
“Say somebody refuses to give consent, for example to check their bags, what’s in their cart, what’s in their purse for example and staff tried to stop them from leaving…What are their options there?”
“You have a couple of options”