Theft from the grocery store | Press

Shoplifting has been on the rise in supermarkets in Canada for some time. We do not have concrete data, but with the increase in the number of security guards stationed at the entrance and exit of grocery stores, everything suggests that thefts have increased in recent months.

In talking to various retailers in Montreal, Halifax, Toronto and Vancouver, in the heart of neighborhoods where the rate of criminal offenses is generally below average, we realize that theft is becoming a new source of concern. . According to some estimates, the number of thefts has increased by 25 to 40% in the past six months. A mid-sized grocery store can easily catch thieves 10 to 12 times a week these days. The cost of living and the price of food are leading some citizens to find other, less legal ways to obtain supplies.

The most coveted items in supermarkets include meat: ground beef, steaks, roasts, cheeses, spices and sausages. Common items targeted by thieves include energy drinks and over-the-counter medications. Some people can steal up to $ 300 worth of products from multiple locations in a single day.

In addition, some employees may act as accomplices for internal thefts, in the warehouse, or at the back of the store even before the products are put on the shelves.

On average in Canada, each grocery store has $ 3,000 to $ 4,000 worth of groceries per week. In other words, for every 500 supermarkets that open their doors every morning in Canada, a total of 9 stores will liquidate their food for free that day. That’s a lot of food, and the associated costs are a huge problem for our retailers.

Some merchants go to great lengths. Aside from adding security cameras and doormen, hiring guest guards also seems to be paying off. Mystery guards dressed as Monsieur and Madame Tout-le-Monde crisscross the aisles to monitor the actions of customers and pin them down. Although expensive, this strategy still works.

From all walks of life

No typical profile is associated with these offenders, as they come from all age groups and come from all backgrounds, which makes the task more difficult. In Canada, according to some crime experts, about half of all those charged have no criminal record. First instance offenders are often well educated, come from well-off families, hold good positions and enjoy a good reputation. Frequently, violations are committed by the employees themselves.

Obviously, self-service checkouts can facilitate theft. We should therefore not be surprised by the addition of surveillance around these crates. With profit margins approaching 1%, the profitability of a store now depends a lot on increased surveillance to reduce merchandise theft as much as possible. And those who follow the rules have to pay for shoplifting.

In order for merchants to cover their costs, all consumers pay a premium of around 2-2.5% for shoplifting and internal theft.

On the other hand, with online purchase, theft becomes impossible. Since the start of the pandemic, e-commerce in food has exploded. Canadians now buy more than $ 5 billion in food a year online. These sales are obviously safe from any temptation to take products and leave without paying. Grocers know this and will want to encourage online shopping from their customers to lower their risk.

Food inflation still has unpredictable shocks in store for us and some believe the situation could deteriorate in the coming months. Merchants will need to be extra vigilant. It should come as no surprise that some retailers are using new methods to discourage in-store delinquency.

The very first self-serve grocery store opened in Memphis, Tennessee in 1916 under the name Piggly Wiggly. Back in the day, customers presented their shopping lists to employees who then gathered the merchandise on the store shelves. Then, the founder had the revolutionary idea of ​​allowing customers to serve themselves. Since then, we have been able to visit the store, see the products and place them ourselves in our basket. This is a privilege that should not be abused.

What do you think? Express your opinion