Greggs is trialling the removal of self-service fridges in some stores to tackle shoplifting. The bakery chain has introduced the change in at least five locations, including one in Whitechapel, east London, where customers must now ask staff for refrigerated items from behind the counter.
A Greggs spokesperson said the trial is limited to shops with higher levels of anti-social behaviour and there are no current plans to roll it out nationwide. “The safety of our colleagues and customers remains our number one priority,” they added.
The move comes as shoplifting offences in England and Wales reached a record high of 516,971 in 2024, a 20% increase on the previous year, according to the Office for National Statistics. Retailers are adopting various measures, such as Sainsbury’s introducing VAR-style cameras at self-checkouts.
Greggs reported a pre-tax profit of £203.9 million in 2024, up 8.3% from 2023, driven by new store openings and extended hours. The chain recently raised the price of its traditional sausage roll by 5p to £1.30, citing cost-of-living pressures on customers.
