“If your store is experiencing so much theft that you need to harass paying customers, then you need to reconsider your prices,” she states.
“If you can’t catch someone shoplifting in your own store, then you need to hire more staff. If your policy is to presume I am a criminal because I’m a woman wearing a backpack instead of a purse, no. You don’t get my business. I haven’t done anything wrong, and you’ve shown you don’t want me there. Bye.”
Though the person posted on the Loblaws Is Out Of Control subreddit, they appear to be talking about many different stores.
Several Canadian chain stores have been beefing up security.
Loblaws has tested several anti-theft methods this year, such as receipt scanners, security gates, and shopping carts with locking wheels. In 2023, one Walmart Supercentre in Ontario removed its self-check-out kiosks citing a rise in theft.
However, it looks like Canadians have had enough of these extra security measures, such as asking shoppers to leave their bags with security.
“Canadian Tire made me leave my backpack at the customer service desk,” wrote one commenter. “Location was Oshawa. Stores/companies that do this sh*t are extremely gross.”
One Redditor said it was “disrespectful.”
“It’s disgusting that these stores expect you to leave your valuables unattended and at risk with them because they assume YOU’RE the thief,” they wrote.
“I hate stores that do this,” another person stated. “Like, they don’t trust customers to the point where they try to make them hand over their bags, but the customer is supposed to trust some stranger with their belongings? F*ck that.”
Another shopper said she would leave the store if she’s ever asked to leave her backpack behind.
“If they don’t let me bring in my backpack, I’m turning right around, and they’ve lost my business card,” she wrote.
Another agreed, stating, “I’m not leaving my backpack at the front; either it stays with me or I leave the store.”
But it’s not just about being asked to leave their bags behind. Some people say that they’ve been followed around the store by security.
One person shared, “I didn’t even have a backpack with me. Walked into the store when it was -40°C with a heavy black hoodie on and had an employee following me around the whole time.”
Someone else said they refuse to enter stores that treat shoppers like thieves.
“I refuse to patronize stores that have ever treated me like a thief,” they wrote. “Any store where I catch an employee following me around, I leave immediately. Sometimes, I call them out on it. Any store that demands I leave my bag at the counter doesn’t get my money.”
One commenter claimed that she’s followed by security every time she goes to a Shoppers Drug Mart.
“I am a woman and I dress a bit alternatively,” she said. “I get that I might fit the criteria of a shoplifter, but I’m not, and I have never been. Feels yucky every time.”
Others said that they’ve had their receipts and bags checked after shopping.
One Canadian Tire shopper in BC wrote, “The one store, Broadway and Cambie, is pretty much the only one I use. And even that security guard wanted to search my bag or check my receipt the last time I left. I told him to call the cops. I don’t think he liked that very much.”
Another Redditor who had a similar experience stated, “Canadian Tire does the same sh*t. I’m a tall, dark-skinned dude, and of course, because I wanna buy just a simple bike pump, they gotta check every pocket in my bag. Has happened multiple times.”
But it’s not just the frustration of having to check in their belongings or having their bags searched. One person also shared the inconvenience of having to claim their bag after shopping.
“Canadian Tire is among the stores with this policy,” they wrote. “I had to wait for three people returning items at the Customer Service desk to get my backpack back. It took an extra 15 to 20 minutes to get my pack. Next time, I’m just going to ignore the security guard and make him follow me around while I shop.”
In posts responding to frustrated shoppers on X, Canadian Tire says all its associate stores are independently owned and operated, and associate dealers decide if they want to implement a bag check policy at their store.
Hi there, thank you for sharing your feedback with us. All Canadian Tire Associate Stores are independently owned and operated. Each Associate Dealer may, at their discretion, choose to implement a bag check policy within their store.
— Canadian Tire (@CanadianTire) December 8, 2024
Regardless, it makes a lot of shoppers unhappy.
@CanadianTire hey quick q: why am i being asked to check my small reusable grocery bag before coming into your store? Backpacks i understand, but this is a bit ridiculous
— Dïck Lovejoy 🐛 (@DickKilljoy) July 11, 2024
Head’s up folks. I just went to our local Alliston , Ontario @CanadianTire and got part way in and this tall dark curly haired kid shouts to get my attention and tells me I have to take my handbag to the front and leave it there. I told him it was not happening and went to… pic.twitter.com/bbVTVfFJVp
— Patricia Koblizek (@patriciakob) July 21, 2024
One person said being asked to leave one’s bags and belongings at the front was like being “pre-accused people of stealing.”
@canadiantire pre accusing people of stealing by saying they have to leave their bags and belongings at the front seems foolish especially with nary another customer to be seen. It’s a choice much like mine which puts you very low on my list for both home office expenses
— Chaos in Moderation (@MichaelHornall) April 27, 2024
Daily Hive has reached out to Canadian Tire and Loblaw about these security measures and will update this story when they respond.
Have you had a similar experience while shopping? Let us know in the comments or email us at [email protected].