A WALGREENS shopper has blamed the retailer for contributing to unwanted pregnancies in the country.
The customer posted a photo on X of the store locking up an essential item for sexual health: condoms.
“There is still a broader conversation about sexual health in America,” the shopper wrote.
“The condoms at @Walgreens are locked and I think the people who are stealing condoms should be allowed to do so.”
Attached to the post is a photo of several shelves of condoms of all brands locked behind security glass.
The post sparked debate in the comments.
One customer spoke about her own embarrassing experience at a CVS, having to ask an employee to unlock the condom box.
“I said this a few years ago – after my husband and I had our first child and we wanted to start having sex again, but we didn’t want to get pregnant right away,” the woman wrote.
“We went to @cvspharmacy and noticed they were all locked up and I said ‘no wonder we have unwanted pregnancies, that’s weird!’”
Other commenters echoed the original poster’s sentiment, recalling the glory days when condoms were given out for free in bars and clubs.
“Weren’t they free?!” wrote one shocked shopper.
“I remember them always in bowls in the bathrooms of clubs and bars, etc…
“But Narcan is free and you can also get free needles…
“MAKE SENSE!”
Others agreed that those who feel the need to steal definitely shouldn’t be at greater risk of having a child they can’t afford.
“I had the exact same thought when I found this,” said user X.
“If people need to steal condoms, then they definitely can’t afford to raise a child… do it.”
One buyer even offered a deal to both the thieves and the company.
“Maybe they can have a non-blocked Walgreens private label?” the creative client commented.
“So they can still keep the premium brands behind the glass.”
Retail stores are not locking up products as a way to promote pregnancy, but as a way to discourage theft.
Stores across the country have been photographed locking up items as small as toothpaste, forcing customers to wait for an employee to open the box for them.
Retail stores also don’t like having to lock up items.
“Blocking a product,” a CVS spokesperson told the LA Times, “is a measure of last resort.”
Anti-theft measures implemented by retailers
Retailers in the US and Canada have implemented strategies designed to combat theft. The US Sun has compiled a list of measures that have been implemented in stores.
- Lock items in cabinets.
- Safety stakes.
- Security cameras.
- Signs warning about the impact of theft.
- Receipt scanners.
- Receipt checks.
- Carts with locking technology
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story