Outrage as Greggs shop forced to lock up fridge – but chain issues seven-word update

A branch of put a padlock on one its drinks fridges in an apparent attempt to thwart shoplifters, with a clip of the bizarre sight prompting disbelief online.

A was posted on this week with the caption “Greggs today”, which made light of the measure found in one of the popular bakery chain’s outlets in London, reported.

The phone-captured footage shows a fridge at the store containing fizzy drinks, juice and water locked with a padlock and chain.

The clip was reposted on X, formerly Twitter, with some users seemingly understanding why the shop had to take a similar measure.

One commented, “Same with supermarkets and booze sections. We’re becoming California,” referring to efforts made in the US state to clampdown on a spike in shoplifting.

Another wrote: “What’s the world coming to when you got to lock up bottles of pop”.

A third said: “Not surprised the amount of people walking in and stealing stuff – can’t have nice things that’s what happens”. Another social media user claimed: “The public cannot be trusted”.

A spokesperson for the bakery chain told The Sun that this was an “isolated incident” and “not policy”.

“It’s not something does or advises,” they said, adding: “This was a shop that decided to take those measures itself.”

The drastic step comes only days after Greggs controversially introduced a 4% price rise on key items including coffee and doughnuts, reports.

Greggs CEO Roisin Currie said the move, was facing a larger expenses bill this year due to measures including higher wages for staff, as well the increased rate of employer national insurance, as per .

Ms Currie said about two-thirds of its employees received a salary increase of around 6% at the start of 2025, which, while good news for staff, meant some of its prices had to be raised by 5p and 10p, the outlet reported.

“We have had to pass a minimum amount of price rises onto customers… but we work hard to protect as many prices as we can,” she said.

However, the price of some of its meal deals such as breakfast and lunchtime remain unchanged, with Ms Currie stressing that the company remains “known for value but we are not complacent about that”.