Locked-Up Candy

Halloween and candy treats have partnered for years and it's here in just over 6 weeks.

Buying sweets quickly has become more challenging in some places.

Why?

Because candy displays were the most recent lock-ups seen at the CVS retail pharmacy in Nashua, NH, last week. This was something very new. 

The black clips in the photo above are security tags. This anti-theft device was on every bag. Since this was an end display, I thought that perhaps it was only done there.

But, when I looked in the candy aisle, every bag displayed a security clip which could only be removed at checkout. The cashier told me locking and unlocking the bags took time, but candy theft was an ongoing issue. 

Online videos from other CVS stores have shown everything from shampoo and conditioner to soda bottles being kept behind locked cases. 

In the CVS on Main Street, ice cream and frozen food products are also in locked cases.

The beer case did not have a lock, but there was a call button to request assistance from a store employee.

Surprisingly, there were no visible locks on this large cosmetic display. 

Retail theft has cost businesses across the country hundreds of billions of dollars on an annual basis, forcing companies to adopt a variety of measures to deter shoplifters.  Major retailers like CVS have been implementing anti-theft measures. The most significant are to lock up certain products so that shoppers are required to ask an employee for help.

Since the pandemic, more household products have been locked up to deter thefts. In some areas, organized robbery sprees have cleared entire shelves of products. There was a similar occurrence in this Nashua CVS this year.

Who can forget when during the pandemic toilet paper was a hot item. Yet, surprisingly, the above displays were not under enclosures or behind lock and key.

But all the wine bottles were tagged with individual security devices, each would need to taken off at the checkout counter. In NH, wine is sold at supermarkets as well, but isn't locked.

Locked items are an inconvenience that customers are not happy about according to the cashier I talked with who said that shoppers repeatedly expressed frustration that CVS anti-theft measures (like locking up candy) are pushing them to avoid shopping there.

That backlash is widespread. Customers find it makes shopping more difficult and some have said they'll shop elsewhere with a not uncommon response: If something is locked, half the time I just go home and buy it on Amazon.

Another common response, I just stopped going and don't have time to call someone over every time I want an item.

After shopping for candy, I understand and agree with their frustration. Thankfully, we buy wine and ice cream elsewhere.

On the topic of candy, fellow blogger, Jon, has a nostalgic Sweet Memories post in which he reminisces about vintage Halloween candy and other sweets.

Your turn — Are there lock-ups at stores in your area and, if so, what are they?