This follows a trial of a vending machine in an Asda store in Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester, which was first introduced back in 2024.
If this scenario were to happen, items such as batteries, razor blades and perfumes could be taken off the shelves and put into the machines.
These items tend to be at higher risk of being stolen as they are easier for criminal gangs to sell on the black market.
Could vending machines be the answer to shoplifting in supermarkets?
That’s exactly what supermarket giant Asda is now exploring to tackle rising theft.
Batteries, razor blades, perfumes… small items moved off the shelves and into machines instead.
Is this over the top? pic.twitter.com/nHxrZ6PqAY
— Jeremy Vine & Daytime on 5 (@JeremyVineOn5) April 13, 2026
The Ashton-under-Lyne store trialling the vending machines uses them to sell vapes and cigarettes.
At the time of writing, Asda states there are no immediate plans to introduce vending machines to other stores just yet.
How would vending machines in Asda work?
If vending machines were installed, customers could choose what they wanted to buy on a screen and then receive a ticket to take to the tills.
Once at the till, they would receive a second ticket, which they could take to a vending machine that dispenses the desired product.
The Telegraph reports that Asda bosses spoke to staff in a meeting in March about the topic.
They shared that they were looking at options for vending machines for “high-theft items”.
No decisions have been made yet on which items would be included in vending machines, and there are no imminent plans for it.
In a statement, an Asda spokesperson said: “We continually explore new ideas which may help to improve our customers’ and colleagues’ experiences whilst in our stores.
“However, there are no immediate plans to install new vending machines for any products in our stores whilst a trial in our Ashton store is ongoing.”
Other supermarkets have also trialled vending-machine technology, including Morrisons and Sainsbury’s.
The technology is more widely used across the rest of Europe, particularly in Norway and Sweden, to stock products including medication and phone cards.
Data compiled by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) found that there were 5.5 million recorded shoplifting incidents last year, costing retailers nearly £400m.
However, the BRC said the total number of incidents was likely to be higher as supermarkets were not always recording or aware of attacks.
Supermarkets have spent more than £5bn in the last five years to improve security measures, investing in more CCTV and security staff at doorways.
However, retailers are becoming increasingly concerned about staff getting involved in preventing attacks.
Would you be happy to see vending machines introduced in supermarkets for certain items? Let us know in the comments.
