Don’t worry, you won’t need a password for a doughnut. The counters are tamper-resistant and staff-operated, meaning you’ll still get that friendly “Hiya, love” service. Think of them like the Fort Knox of flaky pastries—but with way less metal and more icing sugar.
Interestingly, Greggs isn’t alone. Boots, Co-op, and even Waitrose have introduced similar measures, from higher shelves to trolley locks. It’s a quiet arms race between retailers and a rising tide of “shrinkage” (industry jargon for theft).
The Cultural Context
Remember that scene in Oliver Twist where Fagin’s gang steals handkerchiefs? Modern shoplifting is less Dickensian drama and more organised crime—often involving gangs targeting stores for repeat hauls. Greggs’ new counters are basically the 21st-century equivalent of a locked shop window, but with a sausage roll behind glass.
On TikTok, the news has sparked a mix of jokes and sympathy. One user quipped: “So now I have to ask permission for my vegan quorn bake? Outrageous.” Another replied: “It’s giving self-service checkout betrayal.” That’s the thing—we love our easy access, but we also want staff to feel safe.
Greggs trials anti-theft counters at stores in London, Birmingham, and
