Loblaws is now checking receipts when you leave some stores because of 'organized crime'

Things might be a little different next time you shop at Loblaws and it's all due to "organized retail crime" in the grocery industry.

In an email to Narcity, Loblaw confirmed that they've implemented a trial at certain grocery stores where customers who use the self-checkout kiosks then need to scan their receipt in order to provide proof that they've paid when exiting the store.

"Organized retail crime across the entire industry is a very serious issue, and has only gotten worse," said Dave Bauer, the Director of Media Relations at Loblaw Companies Limited. "It’s having an impact on prices and safety. To protect customers and colleagues, we’re always looking at different ways to stop this theft."

The pilot is taking place at four stores in southern Ontario to determine its effectiveness.

"We are working hard to balance a need for enhanced security while at the same time preserving a welcoming and convenient customer experience," said Bauer. "We welcome our customers’ input and as always, appreciate their understanding."

According to reporting by CBC, some customers who experienced the pilot first-hand found the experience to be "intrusive" and "chaotic."

"It makes you feel like a thief," said one customer. "You had some people, especially a lot of elderly folks, were completely unaware this was a new thing, and were just pushing their carts through the closed gate. It would trigger alarms. There were alarms going off maybe every one to two minutes."

This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.