A woman who used to work at Boots has revealed how shoppers can tell whether staff think they could be thieves.
The TikTok creator, who uses the handle @Florencegirlyyy, shared a number of insights when it comes working for the high street store.
Speaking in the clip, she revealed that now she has left the store, she can ‘finally expose a few secrets they definitely don’t want customers to know’.
Among them was one of the procedures she alleged staff were told to follow if they suspected a customer of stealing.
She claimed: ‘We were to approach customers and ask if they needed help whenever they looked like they were going to steal.
‘If you’ve ever been shopping around Boots and suddenly been asked if you need help while looking at the expensive stuff, you probably looked suspicious to us.’
Some viewers seemed upset by the news, sharing their thoughts in the comments section of the video.
One wrote: ‘If this is what boots train their staff to insult their customers, it’s a shame. There are so many competitors where I can spend my money.’
‘I am a no7 wearer and I get approached all of the time, penned another. ‘Makes me not want to buy my makeup there!’
A further TikTok user added: ‘I got asked if I needed help when I was looking at benefit.’
And another said: ‘OMG now I’m going to be paranoid when I’m approached in Boots asking if I need help.’
‘When I’m, asked if I need help, I say no and leave,’ penned another. ‘I won’t spend money in a store that judges my tattoos & piercings without knowing how qualified I am and the line of work I’m in.’
However, others disagreed, sharing their experiences of working for the pharmaceutical giant, suggesting that these claims are not the case when it comes to how the business approaches its customers.
One said: ‘Not necessarily. When a shop assistant asks “Do you need help?” it’s usually: Good customer service – many stores train staff to greet or offer help to everyone: A subtle way to engage – being acknowledged can also discourage shoplifting, but that doesn’t mean they suspect you personally: Routine practice – it’s part of their job, not aimed at just you.’
Another agreed, writing a comment which shared a similar sentiment.
They wrote: ‘Not entirely true they have sales targets.
‘I was never forced to do that and I worked for Boots for over 10 years!’ penned another.
A further TikTok user shared the opinion, writing something similar in the comments section.
They said: ‘I work at Boots and have never heard any of these claims.’
An even more strongly worded response was left by another commentator, who also chose to shared their thoughts.
They wrote: ‘That is absolutely not true. Customers are approached in any premium department store as well as Boots to offer service. if you are browsing its very likely you can benefit from advice from consultants who by the way are usually on commission so want to engage with you to sell their products. Obviously stores are also aware of potential shoplifters but show some respect girl. Customers are not all viewed as shoplifters’
The TikTok creator also shared some other insider information about Boots in her video.
She said: ‘Next, if you bring in your empty perfume bottle, we have a recycling program where we’ll give you a discount towards your next bottle of fragrance.’
In another video she made about working for the store, the social media creator spoke about something else customers do that can de difficult for staff.
She said: ‘If you’ve ever opened a drawer on the sales floor, you might have noticed employees getting tense.
‘That’s because those drawers are meticulously organized for staff use, and customers rummaging through them can disrupt the system, making it harder for employees to assist everyone efficiently.’
Florence also shared what she described as a little-known option Boots offers its make-up buying customers.
She explained: ‘Boots has a shade matching device for number seven foundations that most people don’t know about it scans your skin to find your exact match, and it’s surprisingly accurate.
‘It’s only available at certain counters, but it saves you guessing or wasting money on the wrong shade. I used to do this for customers all the time, and it always impressed them.’
Boots has been contacted for comment.
