IKEA issued a statement after Konrad Berkowicz, a member of Poland’s far-right Confederation party, was stopped by security at the chain’s Kraków store in southern Poland for attempting to leave without paying for some items.
The episode was first reported by Mariusz Gierszewski from Radio ZET, a major Polish radio station, and later covered by other media. The incident occurred on Monday, 27 October, when Berkowicz was using a self-checkout lane.
Polish media, TVN24 among them, indicate that several items, such as a set of 18 plates and a frying pan, did not scan correctly. Although he paid for part of his shopping, the store was left owed 390 PLN (€91.94).
Berkowicz waited for the police, paid a 500 PLN (€117.87) fine, and did not invoke his parliamentary immunity.
On social media, he explained the mishap as a result of haste, distraction, and not hearing the checkout scanner beep while listening to music through headphones.
Self-checkout error involving a Polish politician, sparks media coverage and IKEA response
RMF FM, a major Polish radio station, reported that IKEA spokesperson Igor Stypa said an external security company working with the store handled the situation.
The politician was escorted to a designated room to await the police, and the situation was resolved without conflict.
The store stressed that CCTV was operational throughout. IKEA also reminded the public that security footage is shared only with authorities such as the police, prosecutors, or courts, and reiterated the self-checkout process: customers scan their own items and the system allows a review of purchases before payment.
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Source: Radio Poland/IAR/Radio ZET/RMF FM/TVN24/IKEA