Coded PA Announcements

[Stuart*]

Sainsbury's: "Code Two" - bugger the customers, everyone leave their department (except leaving one on each counter - bakery, food to go, deli and fish) and get on checkouts or bag packing now.

I am tempted to buy a megaphone and shout that from the frozen food section 5 minutes before I aim to finish my shopping.

[Philip Cobbold]

I'm told that Sainsbury's and possibly Homebase, code 100 is a shoplifter.

No, Sainsbury's uses Code 10 for that.

[Stuart*]

I'm told that Sainsbury's and possibly Homebase, code 100 is a shoplifter.

No, Sainsbury's uses Code 10 for that.

Is that what you heard just before you were man-handled at the exit Philip?

[timgraham]

I like the idea of codes for anouncements, but the tone of the 14 year old's voice usually gives away what they mean anyway.

Incidentally, here are the codes for one supermarket chain's anouncements down under:
http://www.mediaspy.org/forum/index.php ... t&p=452942

I was interested to learn the other day that if they actually do call for security it's typically something they do to scare of shoplifters or if they see someone who looks a bit suspect (security to sector four or something like that).

[tillyoshea]

I'm told that Sainsbury's and possibly Homebase, code 100 is a shoplifter.

Homebase will be a Service 100 rather than code.

When I worked at Homebase some years ago, it used to be 'Service 125' for shoplifting. They had a big campaign about it while I was there, including lots of posters explaining what it meant - one of which they stuck on the entrance to the staff area, clearly visible to the public. :roll:

[Alarsne53]

I'm told that Sainsbury's and possibly Homebase, code 100 is a shoplifter.

Homebase will be a Service 100 rather than code.

When I worked at Homebase some years ago, it used to be 'Service 125' for shoplifting. They had a big campaign about it while I was there, including lots of posters explaining what it meant - one of which they stuck on the entrance to the staff area, clearly visible to the public. :roll:

Fair enough, the whole time I have been there (several stores since 2002) it has always been a service 100!

[tillyoshea]

Fair enough, the whole time I have been there (several stores since 2002) it has always been a service 100!

I left in 2002, so it may have changed just as I left, or else my memory is failing me... More likely the latter!

[scottishtv]

...lots of posters explaining what it meant - one of which they stuck on the entrance to the staff area, clearly visible to the public. :roll:

Ha! I was grabbing a quick greasy snack from Burger King earlier this evening, and noted that right next to the menu in this particular branch was an A4 guide in bold capital letters on how to serve the customer, including tips like "ALWAYS ATTEMPT TO UPSELL TO EVERY CUSTOMER."

Bizarrely, they must always dish up the food in the order of drink, burger then fries. No wonder the staff can't cope when customers don't order a burger, the guidelines don't tell them how to serve you. Errror! Does not compute!

[nwtv2003]

If you're ever in a branch of Tesco, and they call for Mr Black, watch all the managers come running - it usually means "everyone, get the hell down to the front of store NOW, we need backup" - be it violent customers, thieves, whatever...

Morrisons have a similar system, theres Mrs Black and Mrs White to 147 which usuaully means there's a thief and all managers and supervisors have to run there and catch the bugger, aswell as the security guard.

It is quite funny to watch sometimes as it looks like an obese version of Chariots of Fire, or seeing about 12 people run out of the building at once, same goes for the First Aiders.

[ThePotato]

At one gym chain I've worked for, there's Code Green for a medical emergency and Code Red for when someone is in critical danger. There's a few others which I've sadly forgotten. I think we used Mr. Black for bomb scares though.

[Gavin Scott]

There are "Mr such and such" names for evacuating theatres, indicating fire and other hazzards. I forget the details though as its been a long time since I "ushered".

The audience are deliberately ushered in through separate auditorium entrances (without necessarily realising you are doing it), as in a panic they will instinctively attempt to exit the way they entered. This helps prevent bottle necks or people getting crushed or trampled.

Nice.