A man and woman from Stoke-on-Trent have been slapped with a two-year ban from all Morrisons and Aldi supermarkets in the area after confessing to multiple shoplifting incidents.
The pair, whose names have not been disclosed, appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre where they admitted to stealing goods worth hundreds of pounds from the budget supermarkets.
Retailers Take Tough Stance
Prosecutors revealed the couple had targeted stores across the city, prompting both supermarket chains to take legal action. The court order prohibits them from entering any Morrisons or Aldi in Stoke-on-Trent until 2026.
"This sends a clear message that retailers won't tolerate persistent offenders," said a spokesperson for the local business crime partnership.
Growing Problem for Retailers
The case highlights the increasing challenges faced by UK supermarkets dealing with shoplifting:
- Rising incidents of organised retail crime
- Growing financial losses for businesses
- Increased security measures being implemented
Local police confirmed they're working closely with retailers to combat the problem, with this ban representing one of several recent successful prosecutions.
