Sainsbury's axes key feature in stores as customers say they will no longer shop there
The supermarket giant quietly got rid of its changing rooms last September, affecting a small number of outlets - though the exact figure is yet to be disclosed.
Shoppers are now being forced to try on clothing at home, The Sun reports, amid their frustration the removal is 'such a pain'.
They have even taken to X - formerly Twitter - to vent their disapproval, with a number sarcastically commenting 'Well done Sainsbury's'.
It comes as the lingering impact of the Coronavirus panic meant some customers were already asking questions as recently as 2023 as to why changing rooms were still closed for months after life returned to 'normal'.
Sainsbury's said at the time it was 're-opening some of our fitting rooms at our stores with the biggest clothing ranges... following our customer's feedback'.
A spokesman added: 'This is to ensure we are delivering the best possible shopping experience for our customers.'
But now, shoppers are unhappy with the apparent backtrack and have even warned Sainsbury's it is 'losing sales'.
It comes as the chain currently continues to sell its TU clothing range in many of its larger stores.
A sign addressed to customers stuck up on a changing room door read: 'We're sorry our fitting rooms are now permanently closed.
'Please feel free to try any items at home and if you change your mind, we'll be happy to exchange or refund it for you in line with our policy.'
One person said on X: 'Sainsbury's, why have all the changing rooms been closed?
'My wife won't buy anything she can't try on as it's a trek to return anything. You are losing sales.'
Another wrote on Facebook: 'So Sainsbury's clothing department has decided to permanently close its changing rooms.
'Who's bright idea was that especially with the expensive concessions?
'Guess we will have to use the toilets then or strip down in-store. Ridiculous!'
A third said: 'Noticed it a few weeks ago. Such a pain having to buy 2 sizes, I spend my life taking stuff back!!!'
In one especially lengthy complaint, someone warned: 'Why spend money on building new changing rooms at Cobham Sainsbury's & then close them!
One frustrated customer said: 'Why on earth do you have a clothing department but no changing rooms? A staff member has just told me they have been removed from all stores?'
'So you expect me to spend extra money to buy multiple sizes and then make another trip to return the items I don't need. Well done Sainsbury's you've just lost another customer.'
And someone else concluded: 'Why on earth do you have a clothing department but no changing rooms? A staff member just told me they have been removed from all stores?'
A Sainsbury's spokesman told MailOnline: 'Customers are increasingly choosing to try on items at home and last year we reviewed how we use our fitting room space differently to offer the best possible experience when they shop with us.
'Customers can return any unsuitable or faulty items during their store visits.'
It comes as Sainsbury's is not the only supermarket giant to close its changing room doors.
Shoppers at Asda and Tesco have also mourned the loss of the facilities, with it being understood that Tesco got rid of the feature - for its F&F clothing range - a number of years ago.
One customer said: 'Asda's shut theirs too, went to buy my son a suit couldn't try it on so went else where.'
Another said: 'That's Sainsbury's, Asda and Tesco now.
'I've asked the staff why and no-one has an answer.'
Asda has said it is not aware of any changes to the changing rooms in its stores and it recently opened a George standalone store which allows customers to try on clothes.
The grief has coincided with a rise in anti-shoplifting measures being deployed under a range of store brands such as AI cameras and anti-shoplifting plastic strips that sit loosely in front of products.
It emerged last month the number of shoplifting offences recorded by police in England and Wales had passed half a million for the first time in a year.
An astonishing 516,971 offences were logged by forces in 2024, up 20 per cent from 429,873 in 2023.
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