Pak'nSave in Lower Hutt has apologized to a customer who said he and his son were humiliated after a store employee searched his bag without permission. Hamid Ashraf was scanning items at the self-checkout of a Pak'nSave in Lower Hutt last month when a staff member approached him and searched his bag without asking for consent.
Ashraf said the incident left him feeling embarrassed and upset, particularly because his young son was present. He said the employee did not explain why the search was necessary or ask for permission before proceeding.
Pak'nSave's parent company, Foodstuffs, issued an apology to Ashraf, acknowledging that the search was conducted without proper authorization. The company said it has reminded staff of the correct procedures for bag checks, which require customer consent.
The incident has raised questions about customer rights and privacy in New Zealand supermarkets. Consumer advocates say that stores cannot search bags without permission unless they have reasonable grounds to suspect theft, and even then, they must follow strict protocols.
