Budget supermarket Aldi has introduced a new ‘bag search’ policy in its UK stores in a bid to stop shoplifting.
The new policy will see security guards required to search all customers’ bags before scanning their items through, with some stores asking customers to put their carriers on to the belt with their shopping to ensure they are empty.
Customers are also being asked to show staff the contents of any full bags they might have with them, or risk being refused service.
An Aldi employee told The Grocerer last week: “We are asking that they allow us to look in the bags to see if they are empty. We have been asking to look in the bags to make sure none of our items are in there.”
“We have also been told that if anyone refuses to show us, we are to refuse the sale, although this has not happened yet in our store.”
The staff member added that people deciding to walk out may still be checked by security staff as an extra measure against shoplifting if they are suspected of theft.
However, it appears not all staff are feeling comfortable with the new measure with one writing on an Aldi Facebook group: “It’s an awful feeling having to ask customers.”
Read more:
Aldi has since told The Mirror that the policy is not a “national policy” but is only being applied to certain individual stores.
It added that the bag check measures are only happening in a small number of its supermarkets and are temporary.
Aldi is not the first supermarket to have introduced such policies, with Sainsbury’s also hitting headlines this year for rolling out receipt barriers in some of its Greater Manchester stores.
In May, shoppers slammed Sainsbury’s after its introduction of exit barriers that can only be opened by scanning a receipt.
Many took to Reddit to slam the new policy, with several claiming it is a ‘pointless waste of money and time’ and others saying they have been left ‘feeling like thieves’.
adidas and Oasis launch exclusive 90s-inspired collection with new Manchester store
Daisy Jackson
Rock ‘n’ roll giants Oasis have officially partnered with adidas to launch an exclusive Oasis Live ‘25 collection as part of a new Original Forever campaign.
The legendary Manchester band and the pioneering sportswear brand have dropped a full collection of 90s-inspired adidas Originals x Oasis Live ‘25 apparel.
The 26-piece collection lands just in time for the massive Oasis reunion shows this summer, which includes five homecoming gigs at Heaton Park.
And it’s launching in Manchester in a big way – with a brand-new adidas store that will host the exclusive Oasis collaboration collection.
The new adidas store is set to open on Thursday 3 July on Market Street, in the heart of Manchester’s busiest shopping district, and will have a packed programme of events to celebrate the city that shaped this iconic band.
Those events include a free after-hours opening party (you can sign up for the exclusive event through Eventbrite HERE), with free food and beer, plus a tote bag full of limited edition gifts for the first 150 in the queue – first come, first served.
Bada Bing will be in store serving up a specially curated menu of signature sandwiches, alongside beers from local craft brewery Track Brewing.
The adidas Originals x Oasis Live ‘25 apparelThe adidas Originals x Oasis Live ‘25 apparel
Manc icons Mani from the Stone Roses and DJ Paulette will be DJing the event, along with giveaways, raffles, gifts with purchase, and a free photobooth.
The opening party is set to be a celebration of adidas within the city, of Oasis’s return to Manchester, and the city’s loud and proud legacy.
Later in the month, on Thursday 10 July, there’ll be a live podcast recording in-store – The Band With The 3 Stripes Podcast with The Face will take fans behind the scenes of Oasis, with photographer Lawrence Watson who’s known for capturing iconic images of the band’s raw energy and style.
His work with the band over the years helped to define the visual identity of the era and adidas’s influence on British youth culture.
The event will include complimentary drinks throughout the evening, with a personally signed A6 postcard print by Lawrence Watson as a gift with purchase if attendees purchase any one item from the range.
Between 18 and 21 July, from 10am to 6pm, adidas will collaborate with Vinyl Exchange on a record store takeover, featuring listening stations and a free branded slip mat with any purchase from the collection.
Exclusive to the adidas x Vinyl Exchange pop-up, select records will also be available at a set price for the special event.
A new adidas store opens on Market Street next week, with a huge launch eventA new adidas store opens on Market Street next week, with a huge launch event
Back to that collaboration though – Oasis and adidas have announced their official partnership to celebrate 30 years of shared history and culture-defining style.
The Original Forever campaign film shows euphoric crowd-surfers as they journey through each historic era that Oasis has touched, including iconic moments like Knebworth, Wembley and Rio – set to the soundtrack of Live Forever.
The adidas Originals x Oasis Live ‘25 apparel collection consists of looks from the 90s that have been reimagined for modern day, with quintessentially British style.
At their heyday, Oasis were deeply entrenched in UK terrace culture and lifelong football fans, leading to this new football-casual collection of Firebird tracksuits (Noel’s favourite), raglan sleeve jerseys, coach jackets and bucket hats.
Chris Walsh, VP Brand at adidas, said: “adidas and Oasis share a story defined by originality and cultural impact, with roots that run deep and have long been entwined in the fabric of music and style.
“This official partnership represents more than just two icons coming together; it reignites a timeless piece of cultural music history.
“‘Original Forever’ continues to build on adidas’ lasting legacy in music and celebrates the powerful role music and style play in shaping culture across generations,”
The adidas Originals x Oasis Live ‘25 collection is available now within adidas retail stores including the brand-new adidas store in Manchester, and adidas.co.uk.
The new adidas Manchester store opens on Market Street on Thursday 3 July, with the exclusive Oasis collection in store.
Seven Brothers have brought back a beloved British fizzy drink, only now it’s boozy
Danny Jones
Local brewmasters Seven Brothers have brought back one of the UK’s most beloved former fizzy drinks and reimagined it as their latest beer.
The Salford-based brewery, who now boast multiple locations across the North, is no stranger to perfecting creative craft beers, but the latest addition to the 7 Bros lineup is sure to be as firm a favourite as the original soft drink.
If it wasn’t already blatantly obvious, we’ll give you a hint: this tropical twist on pale ale contains hints of pineapple and grapefruit – and it looks an awful lot like an old can of Lilt…
Yes, bringing back the British corner shop staple as an alcoholic version, no less, let us introduce you to Seven Brothers’ new ‘Lilty’ flavour.
Still part of Coca-Cola, who also own the likes of Fanta, Powerade, Minute Maid, Schweppes and many more, Lilt has since been rebranded as ‘Fanta Pineapple & Grapefruit’.
However, it doesn’t have quite the same bright white, green and yellow scheme, and maybe it is just the packaging, but it does feel like it hasn’t quite tasted the same since.
Fortunately, we now have an alternative that not only captures all of those Caribbean and citrusy notes but that packs plenty of punch at 6% per tin.
The originalThe upgradeLilt didn’t walk so ‘Fanta Pineapple & Grapefruit’ could run; it was so ‘Lilty’ could get you well on your way to tipsy. (Credit: Press shots)
Now available in 440ml cans, this is actually the latest iteration of the first attempt at the drink launched back in July 2024, only now they’ve fine-tuned the recipe, and we can’t wait to drink by the gallon-full, or at least by the pint.
The description reads as follows: “This lilty little pale ale is a tongue-tingling throwback to fruity pop days gone by. Packed with pineapple and grapefruit flavours for a proper tropical punch.
“Immerse yourself in a wave of vibrant, tropical flavours with a generous double-hit of Amarillo and Mosaic hops taking centre stage. Juicy, fruity, fresh and fun with no bitter goodbyes, it’s basically sunshine in a tin.” It also happens to be vegan, which is a nice little bonus, isn’t it?
Seven Brothers’ brand new flavour is being rolled out as we speak, and we suspect it won’t be long before you see plenty of people asking for a ‘totally tropical taste’ at the taproom, their Ancoats Beerhouse or over in Media City (rest in peace, the Middlewood Locks site).