BIZNOTE: More stores join the grocery-gate trend

Thanks for tips about changes at West Seattle’s QFC stores, adding a railing and swinging gates inside the entrance. We stopped by the Junction QFC (4550 42nd Ave SW) to find out about them.

We caught up there with manager Niko, who explained that the new gate brings the store in line with most other QFCs, which already have these installed as an “anti-theft” device to deter shoplifting. The Junction location took a little longer because of the unusual configuration of the store, with the main entrance on a corner that includes an elevator arriving from other floors.

The new railing, installed a couple of weeks ago, extends from the in-store Starbucks to the registers and has an automatic gate that swings in to allow entry. From the store side, the signage identifies it as an emergency exit only. “There’s a weird beeping sound but it’s doing what’s intended,” says Niko. Once a customer enters, the intended exit is via the register area.

The Junction QFC has also made some other changes over the years, including labeling the SW Alaska Street side entrance as an emergency door and installing a locking liquor cabinet at the front of the store. They also have a security guard on duty during the 20 hours they are open, from 5 am to 1 am. The location opened September 16, 2009, and is owned by Kroger.

bolo March 14, 2026 (4:28 pm)

Hope this helps. I’ve seen guys filling their coats with sandwiches there at the “deli.”

Question Authority March 14, 2026 (5:09 pm)

At the QFC in Normandy Park they have the same system, it’s biggest violators are the Starbucks patrons who just push their way out rather than walk another 10 feet to exit freely. It’s as if the entitlement of only buying coffee gives you the right to disregard the portal system of the store you’re in because that’s all you bought.

IDC9 March 20, 2026 (6:59 pm)

Perhaps they should set up barriers to make Starbucks customers leave through the gate free exit. While its entirely possible that some thieves will try to get away with their crimes by using that exit, it could cut down on how many times store staff and security have to respond when Starbucks customers try to exit through the gate.

k March 14, 2026 (5:57 pm)

The QFC at WWV is terrible. They want you to go in only one door, and out the other, so they have a security guard at the door to make sure no one leaves through that door, but then has to go to the other end of the store, where there is NO guard checking to see if anyone paid, and go out that door instead. Good luck if you just pop in to use the bank or Starbucks. At least Safeway made the exit the door closer to the registers and actually stations their guard there. Honestly, they need to just stop with the performative gimmicks and hire back all the sales floor staff they cut.

Luna Lady March 14, 2026 (6:25 pm)

My son works at the WWV Global Credit Union and he says QFC has seen a dramatic reduction in thefts and aggressive individuals tormenting customers and staff.
- IDC9 March 20, 2026 (6:55 pm)
  
  Less theft and agressive behavior are both very good things. I hope these trends continue.
1994 March 14, 2026 (8:02 pm)

K — That is not true that WWV QFC does not have a guard at the exit on the south end. Each time I go there is a guard at the exit door. Maybe your timing is off while the guard was away or not right at the exit area????? I an glad the QFC has taken some measures to try to reduce the shoplifters. One time a high school kid on his lunch was putting chips in his backpack and I said he should pay for the items. He got upset and told me I ruined his day…..I was worried he would punch me. So anything the store can do to reduce the theft is a step in the right direction!
CC March 14, 2026 (8:06 pm)

I have lived within walking distance of that QFC for over ten years, and my partner and I have given up on trying to get things there. It’s a mess, the produce isn’t usually very good, and the check-outs are mostly unstaffed these days. As someone else said, the gimmicks of locked-up items and gates are not nearly as useful to the average shopper to warrant shopping there.

Admiral2009 March 14, 2026 (6:35 pm)

It’s frustrating to see these measures being implemented but totally understandable.

If only the system actually made the perps accountable for their transgressions the rest of us would not have to be inconvenienced and pay significantly more for groceries and other items due to the theft!

Jake March 16, 2026 (10:45 am)

Maybe something is deeply wrong with a society where people need to steal sandwiches for food (using example above). Maybe we need cheaper food and collectively helping with taxes on providing that, than paying even MORE in taxes on jailing the person doing it. Jails now cost about 150-200k per person per year depending on the source.

bill March 14, 2026 (8:53 pm)

Now that the store should be losing less to theft and paying for less security, maybe they can hire someone to clean the disgusting handrails to the parking garage.

Perry Wales March 15, 2026 (10:22 am)

I asked the store manager to dust and vacuum the upper parking lot elevator “lobby”. It took two asks, but eventually they did, and now I see someone doing it pretty regularly. I think they just don’t notice. I explained this is the entrance of your store and it looks like you don’t care and it’s unwelcoming. My bet is if you ask them, even show them, they’ll do something about it. It’s also a health hazard, with grungy sneezed on hands touching it during flu season…

Alf March 14, 2026 (9:07 pm)

I’ve been shopping at QFC for 15 years in resent discussion with check out staff told me the gate system is a joke. Often doesn’t work. Folks steel walk through the store over by pharmacy and deli and walk out without anyone or anything stopping themAdditionally the gate mechanics break down as often as the elevator. Staff thinks it’s hysterical that corporate think That this window dressing addresses the problem they would like real security that is empowered to stop people and enough check out staff

Perry Wales March 15, 2026 (10:30 am)

The Safeway on Roxbury south of Westwood village blocked one exit and now has a security person checking everyone’s receipts – like Costco – at the one exit/entrance. It’s performative (they don’t really check your groceries) but it seems to be working.

J March 15, 2026 (5:28 am)

I dont like these at all. They seem dangerous in emergencies where people need to exit quickly, especially people in wheelchairs, walkers, or children in strollers where it would be hard or impossible to quickly climb over or through the rails, so they would have to funnel through the one small exit

Lauren March 15, 2026 (10:33 am)

Totally agree, J.
RickB March 15, 2026 (12:35 pm)

J, these gates are easy to push open in the “out” direction, probably even for someone using a wheelchair or walker. Only thing keeping people from exiting through the gates is the beeping noise noted in the story (or maybe security if they’re right there).
IDC9 March 20, 2026 (6:48 pm)

That is the biggest flaw with these systems. There needs to be a way for them to be opened quickly and kept open as long as necessary in the event that the store needs to be evacuated in a life threatening emergency. The other big flaw is how customers who aren’t necessarily going through the grocery store registers because they only came in to go to the pharmacy, bank, or coffee kiosk are accomodated. A similar flaw exists for the occasional customer who comes in looking for just one item and that item is out of stock.

Jeff F. March 16, 2026 (8:47 am)

No one should be shopping at QFC anyways. Kroger is a vile company.

Jake March 16, 2026 (9:12 am)

Boooo Kroger. Pay your workers!!!

Shawn March 17, 2026 (4:22 am)

This is nuts. Treating all your customers like criminals like this is unacceptable. It’s like them locking up all the soap since the pandemic, so you have to call over some lazy kid working there on min wage that isn’t going to be interested in helping anyone promptly. The same kind of anti customer nonsense.Every business suffers a small amount of shrinkage, probably mostly from clerical errors vs actual thieves. and if somehow it’s actually a problem you can just hire a security guard. Safeway is generally worse about this sort of thing, though I don’t believe they resorted to this nonsense yet. Needs to be more competition in groceries.

WSB March 17, 2026 (9:06 am)

Roxbury Safeway has an internal gate.
IDC9 March 20, 2026 (6:53 pm)

I agree that there needs to be more competition for groceries. Competition is better for everyone as it gives customers more choices, higher quality, and lower prices, while keeping businesses on their toes to attract and retain customers. As for soap, does Thriftway keep theirs locked up? They could be an option for you if they don’t. They might not have the lowest price, but there is something to be said for treating customers like customers and not thieves.

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