Supermarkets

Supermarkets, hypermarkets and grocery stores carry a broad range of age restricted goods and those with online e-commerce stores and home delivery services also carry additional risks

There is a greater expectation of household name companies to take action to prevent young people from accessing age restricted goods, content or services. The damage to brands can be substantial and that is in addition to the obligation to comply with local laws. Every company needs to take active steps to prevent young customers from accessing age restricted products. This includes creating an expectation of challenge for ID by displaying appropriate warning signage, being prepared for young customers by training your staff and checking that your age check systems are working.

How can the Age Check Certification Scheme help supermarkets and grocery stores?

We test that age check systems work. We do this through audits, test purchasing and mystery shopping. We also provide the training that you need for your staff and all of the industry standard signage and materials for a professional approach. We can help with age verification policies and if you have an online store, we can test this against PAS 1296:2018.

Why do we have to get this done?

Local laws place obligations on convenience store owners to take steps to prevent the underage sale of age restricted goods. The penalties for failing to comply can be substantial including the forced closure of your business. 

How do we ensure that young customers are expecting to be challenged for ID?

You may be required to display certain posters or warnings in relation to particular products. This is most common for retailers or tobacco and alcohol. Our shop has all of the materials, posters, badges, signs and policies that you need to comply with local laws.

What training will we need for our staff?

As a minimum, you should regularly remind your staff of the rules concerning age restricted goods. However, to be fully protected, you should put your staff through a structured training programme, as a part of when they start work with you. This training programme should be using certified materials and recorded. If you have in-house training, we can verify and certify that it is accurate, up-to-date and appropriate.

How do I get my age check systems tested?

If you want a test purchase carrying out at your store, you can book this through our shop.

If you’ve got a programme of test purchasing activity that you want to discuss with us, then just get in touch. We can provide discounts for programmes of activity. We would be happy to prepare a bespoke proposal for you or to respond to an invitation to tender.

Our test purchasing and mystery shopping services are available in most of the G20 Group of Nations and the European Union.