One in 10 younger adults has admitted stealing items at supermarket self-checkouts over the past year as food prices soared, new research reveals.
The poll for money-saving app ZipZero finds one in 25 adults said they have intentionally skipped or incorrectly scanned items at the checkout amid record food and drink inflation.
In addition, the survey reveals one in five adults has sought financial support to try to handle rising grocery costs, 8% have used their overdraft or a credit card to pay for food, 6% have borrowed money from friends or family to cover essential purchases, and 5% of adults have started using food banks.
The research also shows that young adults are suffering disproportionately, with 37% seeking financial support compared with 5% of those over the age of 55.
ZipZero Chief Executive Mohsin Rashid said: “With a staggering number of adults actively turning to petty theft and food banks to reduce costs, food inflation is changing social norms and redefining life standards in the UK.
“Sector-wide intervention, akin to the Energy Support Scheme, is needed to prevent this crisis from spiralling further.”
