Going into different stores around the United States you can find a variety of items that are locked up to deter thefts. Laundry soap, meat, cheese, shaving tools, cleaning products, baby formula, clothing and more.
Retail theft has gotten worse in a number of areas and this is the measure that stores are taking to try and stop those criminals from fueling the closure of the store altogether.
High ticket items need to be locked up and in some cases it might look like the entire store is locked up. Locking up socks? It might become too inconvenient that people will further turn to online shopping to avoid waiting for a clerk to open the case to get what they need.
What else are stores left to do? They don't have much in the way of options and we have already seen a variety of businesses closing because of the thefts. This means fewer options and people having to travel further to get what they need. Locking up valuable items is one of the easiest ways to try and go about preventing those thefts from the store, hiring more security is what we have also seen some decide on too.
Despite the increased measures of locking up goods though there are various reports questioning if there has truly been a surge in thefts. Maybe things are being overblown? If thefts aren't going on then why are stores locking up meat, socks, laundry soap, cheese, and more? Some say the retail theft is allegedly worse now than it has been in decades. When it comes to what gets reported as far as retail theft, are we really seeing the true extent of the problem? Some reports have alleged that there has been tens of billions in theft for retail locations around the country.
sources:
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business-insurance/impact-retail-theft-on-small-businesses/
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/dec/07/retail-theft-losses-inventory-nrf
I am surprised that stores in places like San Francisco let you in the store.
I am imagining concrete block buildings (even the truck ramp is enclosed) with a bullet proof kiosk and a one-way door to pass out goods purchased.
The only reason this is not the case is that certain stores have such a HUGE markup on items, that they are basically free.
In the 80s, lipstick contents 1¢, tube 1¢
The items in the dollar store used to cost between 10-20¢
And, in the future, if you had a community. The coop could be thing at 90% off, if bought by the pallet. Of course, people in coops usually do not buy things with such high markup. They buy raw goods like wheat.