Greggs restricts access to products in select stores due to rising shoplifting and security concerns
Introduction
The British bakery chain Greggs has started a trial program that removes self-service food and drink displays in several city branches. Customers now have to ask staff for all items from behind secure counters. This change is meant to reduce theft and improve staff safety.
Main Body
The store layout changes have been seen in areas including South and East London, Birmingham, and Nottinghamshire. The West Croydon branch recently reopened after a renovation that moved chilled products and bottled drinks from open fridges to areas behind the checkout counters. According to the company, this trial targets a small number of stores that have a higher risk of anti-social behavior. Although self-service is limited in these stores, the company says that the full range of products is still available if customers ask staff for help. This change in strategy follows a series of reported security incidents and physical attacks on staff. Internal reports and court cases show that employees have been attacked with hot liquids and hard objects. For example, one person was found guilty of stealing from a single store 38 times over six weeks between late 2025 and early 2026, causing losses of about £1,817. Other security steps taken by the chain include hiring security guards with military experience and giving body cameras to staff in busy stores. These operational changes come at a time when national crime numbers are changing. Reported shoplifting in England and Wales rose sharply between 2020/21 and 2024/25, although recent official figures suggest a small year-on-year improvement. Political debate on this issue is divided. Liberal Democrat representatives claimed that the rise in retail crime is due to a drop in community policing. On the other hand, government officials emphasized that criminal charges have increased by 17% and that certain legal limits for prosecution have been removed, showing that action is being taken. Greggs is not alone in adopting stricter theft-prevention measures. Other high-street retailers, such as Poundland, have introduced headsets and body cameras to protect staff and keep prices stable. Furthermore, several supermarket chains have started limiting direct access to items that are often stolen, such as hygiene products and electronics, requiring customers to pay first or ask staff. These actions together show a wider industry trend toward changing store layouts to reduce losses and address safety concerns.
Conclusion
The move from self-service to staff-assisted access in some Greggs stores is a test phase in the company's wider security plan. Whether these measures become permanent and expand will depend on how effective they are at reducing theft and keeping the store environment safe.