Entering stores now, you seen a new normal sight. Whole sections often sit behind barriers. Clear plastic or metal cages hold items. Like toothpaste, what you took before. Deodorant is locked away often too.
You must find an employee to get it. Customers simply wanting just to shop get stopped. Shoppers certainly noticing this trend around. Social media sites are buzzing with complaints. One Walmart customer sharing one photo.
Aisle glass doors were all wide opened. They asked other shoppers if stores ‘given up’ maybe. The picture sparked comments from staff and buyers. This shows problem happens everywhere really. Shoppers feel frustration you can see it.
Need something, spot it behind glass case. Then you need find someone with a key. This makes simple buying real complicated. Think needing just five dollar deodorant.
Or little facial wipes only costing a bit. Finding products locked is bothersome greatly. This waiting on staff annoys many deeply. Someone online said they don’t want the button. Don’t locate staff, just get deodorant. If item is locked, they just gonna leave.
Another user joked about long waiting time. For unlocking just a $4 deodorant there. Many feel the inconvenience not worth it. Problem not just small items that is locked up. Viral videos showed measures more extreme happen.
In Louisiana, Walmart steaks wrapped in steel wire. This stops thieves taking meat so easy. One TikTok video showed steaks in cages. It got many views, over million you see.
People were shocked by lengths stores go now. Locking things cause challenges for store workers. Employees posted their frustrations online. One worker said half his day is opening cases.
Someone else mentioned staff issues maybe. ‘Skeleton staff just one key set for store. ‘ Many key requests make slow service. Staff get stressed doing this and other jobs. Stores say locking stuff is needed for theft.
They point to checkout theft problems now. Also shoplifting rates going up they say. Not just small thefts, organized crime too happens. Groups steal many items for reselling. News shows thieves smashing windows often.
This makes people want more security. Retailers use many ways stopping theft there. Not just locking items in cases all the time. One list included security pegs being used. Also cameras, signs warning on theft.
Receipt scanners and checks people see. Stores added more security guards too. Or work with police closely on cases. But locking items is very visible act.
Some people say it stops theft best. Companies think other strategies exist too. But none stop theft like locking things up. This seems a drastic thing for stores. Retailers rely on locking products plenty.
CVS said it’s a ‘measure of last resort. ‘ What gets locked is not random selection store makes. They target items most thieves want taking. Products easy to sell profit stores too. Surveys identify certain categories stolen lot. Cigarettes, health beauty items, medications included.
Also liquor and strips to whiten teeth. Smaller more expensive things get swiped easy. Stores with many foot traffic people there. Or locations where shoplifting rate is high.
These probably lock more items than others. More than stores in safer places, you see. Drug stores and groceries lock up stuff most. Big box stores also do it lots.
Their products include many stolen items see. Theft happening all the time is real now. Especially in city areas sometimes it happens. This shows challenges retailers facing today.
Related posts:
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Walmart shoppers stunned to discover elaborate new anti-theft measure on meats: ‘It’s come to this’
Walgreens admits locking up shampoo and toothpaste hurts sales. But it’s still doing it
