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 in this store and to me (who would have thought candy would need a lock-up?) .
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.
Curious as to whether this was an isolated issue, I would online videos from other CVS stores that showd everything from shampoo and conditioner to soda bottles being kept behind locked cases.
The beer case did not have a lock, but there was a call button to request assistance from a store employee so it's really like being locked up.
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 sometime last year according to the cashier.
Locked items are an inconvenience that customers are not happy about according to the cashier I spoke with who said that shoppers repeatedly express 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. Many have said they'll shop elsewhere with a not uncommon response: If something is locked, I just go home and buy it on Amazon. Another common response, I don't have time to call someone over every time I want an item and just stopped shopping there.
After shopping for candy, I understand and agree with this frustration. Thankfully, we buy wine and ice cream elsewhere and that may soon extend to sweet treats.
On the topic of candy, fellow blogger, Jon, has a nostalgic Sweet Memories post in which he reminisces about vintage Halloween candy and other sweet treats.
Your turn — Are there lock-ups at stores in your area and, if so, what are they?
33 comments:
...thief is a huge problem, but I haven't seen this here.
I have rea about this too, but mostly in large cities-these crimes are usually in areas where they have defunded the police sadly
I am off to check out the post you shared
Wow, that's extreme...locking up candy??? I've not seen that here. They tend to lock up razor blades and some cosmetics and some meds, oh, and inkjet printer ink...those are the only things that I buy that I've noticed locks on. How very inconvenient...and most stores are understaffed as it is, so to have to wait for them to come and unlock something, etc., well, yes, I'd go elsewhere to shop too. Sad state of affairs in this world. Praying for our nation to wake up!!
It's a shame that items have to be locked up due to the rapid increase in crime. It's expensive for the store owners and annoying for those of us who don't steal. I'm glad that I do all my shopping online now, since I've been plagued with physical limitations.
BTW Thank you for mentioning my latest blog post "Sweet Memories".
I haven’t seen any lock-ups here but I haven’t been out shopping much other than a grocery store. Such inconvenience will drive send to Amazon!
That is so stupid and the kiss of death for retailers. I too would go elsewhere if I had to wait for someone to open a case or unlock something for me.
I’ve noticed it in stores located in high crime areas. Deodorant was the oddest lock up I’ve ever seen. It used to be just the more expensive items that could be easily hidden in a pocket, like printer ink. But candy prices have become outrageous, so I’m not surprised!
Walmart now has a lot of things tagged and/or locked up, Dollar General had to close their self check out due to shoplifting, and now can't get help. all of this is costing us the buyers, money because it cost more to lock them up and tag them. I have not been in any other store but Publix, and have not seen it there yet. I shop Walmart and Amazon, the other stores are way to high priced. Publix is high but there are 3 items I have to buy there because WM doesn't have them
This is something I haven't seen in my area yet (of course, I don't go to CVS so maybe it's nationwide.) Interestng.
It stuns me that theft is such a problem. Whether it’s a reflection of poverty or simply dishonest people I am not sure. I was especially shocked recently when in a Mennonite store with Miriam buying fabric, and there was a sign asking people not to take fat quarters without paying for them. They are easy to slip into a bag or a purse, and apparently that’s what people have been doing. I hope they enjoy those few dollars they saved by cheating another.
I never shop in stores, so I haven't encountered this. It seems a bit self defeating if it drives customers away.
I don't know how people can sleep at night, stealing things like that. Are their consciences just dead at this point? I remember my mother once accidentally left the store without paying for a small bottle of Rose Milk hand lotion, she struggled with what to do: have my grumpy miserable father turn around so she could pay for it, or keep it knowing she didn't pay? She taught us well, that it was just WRONG to take anything without paying for it.
My small town CVS doesn't have any locked candy or items (yet). Sad that so many thefts have caused this backlash, which doesn't really help any side of retail.
With scanners at exits, I am surprised that shoplifting is still a big issue.
I haven't been shopping for years in a brick and mortar store, but I haven't heard Leah say anything. Being housebound I've had to shop differently back to ordering from catalogs before I was ever online.
I also don't shop at stores and don't have a CVS near where I live. It's a sad thing.
I have to admit I am shocked at candy being locked up. What does this say about society in general?
I have seen formula under lock and key and things like hard liquor and cosmetics locked. I would hate to have to call a worker to come and unlock every thing I wanted to purchase. Probably would do on line shopping and have it delivered right to my door.
The few times I have gone to CVS to shop it seems we are the only ones in the place. I don't think they are long for this world.
Sue
I order my groceries delivered to the apartment so I have no idea if they are behind locked doors or not. What a pitiful shape this world has come to to have to lock up everything to keep theives from stealing it. Even our own persons are not safe. When it come to us having to be behind locked doors? Well, that is dumb. We are... but we still are not safe.
When I worked in a retail store the shavers and other small electronic devices were locked away. They were easy to shoplift. Then they could be returned for a more substantial amount of money. But candy?
What has the world come to? How sad. And it makes so much more work for the clerks, where there are not enough in the first place. I have seen on the news where entire gangs of people all wearing black will come into a store and take whatever they want, and no one can stop them. Then they take off on motorcycles. Here, they lock up baby formula. You heard right, BABY FORMULA! But there must be poor moms who can't even afford to feed their babies.
I haven’t noticed anything like this at our stores.
Thankfully my small island doesn’t go in for such things except for alcohol which is understandable. I too wouldn’t shop there if that was the case. B x
Pretty sad when stuff has to be nailed down. We don't have the tags but there is security on duty,
I recently heard a news report on the huge amounts stolen every day from UK shops - and also the very small number of prosecutions for shop lifting. It's little wonder that some people work out the odds and think it a chance worth taking.
i can relate to customer frustration though i think it is right of sellers to take measures for the safety of their things
i have experienced locked up things only while buying clothes .
the bags are clipped up which makes it difficult to check the texture of the cloth ,it's irritating for lot so employees within shops allow to open the zip from side in their presence
this is relief for many now
thanks for very nice sharing my friend
best wishes
Shoplifting has occurred down thru the centuries. Something had to be done.
A while ago Bill had to call someone to unlock a case to buy socks and underwear recently and then the clerk had to take the items to the cash register for him. I think it was in a Target. He said it would be Amazon from now on.
I understand shoplifting is a serious problem, but I've been avoiding my local Rite Aid because of the lockdowns.
There are variety stores in my neighborhood where it's just less time-consuming to buy stuff. I noticed these stores use close circuit TV to stop shoplifting and it seems to work.
Now, it's like the old days: I only go to the drug store only to fill a prescription.
Wow, I can't believe candy needs to be locked up now!
It’s wild how retail theft has changed shopping.
I totally get why customers are frustrated—having to ask for help all the time is such a hassle.
Hi Beatrice, I haven't seen candy locked up or with security sensors before. My career was all in retail security, safety and inventory control, heading Loss Prevention Departments at several retailers. The problem with theft, especially with organized retail theft has grown exponentially since I retired. We used to secure some products but the number locked up or tagged was limited and in most stores, zero precautions of this nature were needed. Part of the issue is the fact that retailers are concerned with liability if employees or customers are injured while shoplifters or smash and grab suspects are being apprehended by security staff. My staff used to apprehend and prosecute thousands of thieves every year. Many police departments, at least in big cities, don't want stores to call unless the amount being stolen is quite large. Many prosecutors don't want to take on cases unless thefts are over a certain dollar amount. $1,000 is a limit used in many major metropolitan areas. So the thieves steal $900 and they know that at the worst they'll get a summons and a fine...if they show up for court. Violence happened in concert with retail theft when I was still in the business but now it is much more frequent. We had smash and grabs, whole displays of high end goods stolen by groups and some armed robberies but now these criminal activities are organized and many times directed by gangs or criminal organizations. In the end we all pay for the losses suffered by retailers...and stores closing in high theft areas impact those who have the fewest shopping options. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
I haven't seen many locked up items here, except for the more expensive ones. I am aware that shoplifting goes on and our local supermarket closed one entrance and only kept one open for a couple of months, with security on the door. I notice it has gone now. We were without a car for a few days and enjoyed calling in to get groceries delivered. I always have fun doing that but it's only when there is no other recourse. Our son is always happy to help but his work schedule was tight. Just needed the basics, eggs, milk, CHOCOLATE, haha! No, I don't get too much chocolate but it's certainly a treat to get peanut butter cup candy when we get delivery. Now back to the salads! ;)
That is wild! I haven't encountered it in stores yet.
Ordering online is scarier. I read too many packages either gone missing or delivered to the wrong address.
I wonder who is stealing these low value items in such quantities and why.
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