CVS insists locked cosmetics and more are a ‘last resort’ measure in the face of crime wave, despite customer complaints

CVS shoppers are frustrated as more and more everyday essentials are placed behind barricades in an effort to curb theft.

But the drug store is fighting back, insisting that locking up the products is actually the retailer’s last option.

In an effort to combat ongoing retail crime, stores are cracking down on anti-theft measures, starting with what they keep behind glass.

Shoppers looking to quickly grab a box of bandages, a new toothbrush or a can of sanitizer can wait as these items, and many more, remain locked behind anti-theft glass at stores like CVS.

And many customers are not accepting it.

“I hate it when I go into stores and everything is locked like that,” fumed one shopper in a recent YouTube video.

But US retailer bosses aren’t exactly thrilled with the ongoing crackdowns they’re instituting to deter shoplifters.

“Blocking a product,” a CVS spokesperson said in an email to Los Angeles Times“It is a measure of last resort”.

Several customers said they would rather order items online than wait for an employee to unlock their items.

Some shoppers suspect that efforts to curb theft and save stores money have actually hurt sales.

“Honestly, I think it’s a really fun new game to walk into Walmart and see something else locked behind glass that I’m now going to buy on Amazon.” he wrote Fil (@Mrburgerboy) on X, formerly known as Twitter.

He claimed that Walmart must be losing money because the shopping experience has become “miserable” due to the retailer’s anti-theft policies.

Joe Budano, chief executive of a company that makes buttons that notify associates when to unlock items, said customer frustration likely leads to a “10% to 25% reduction in sales” and referred to anti-theft glass as “the retail ruin.” “, reported the Los Angeles Times.

And yet, it remains the best option, according to some experts, after a difficult year in terms of record robberies.

Retail theft is accounted for around US$112.1 billion in total losses, according to data from the 2023 National Retail Security Survey, reported Fox Business.

That number is up from $93.9 billion in losses in 2021 and $90.8 billion in 2020, according to the National Retail Security Survey.

CLOSED CVS STORES

The conversation grows as several CVS locations have been forced to close due to theft-related crimes.

The company announced it would close 10% of its U.S. locations, with about 300 of the 900 planned closures happening this month, The US Sun previously reported.

At some CVS locations, theft has become so common that workers say they are told to let thieves go.

Police assistance is not an option, according to workers, who say law enforcement will not intervene unless crime reaches a certain threshold.

Meanwhile, a CVS in Navy Yard, D.C., was looted after a group of people broke in, stealing and causing damage throughout the store.

Despite employees trying to control the situation, chaos ensued, resulting in a huge amount of stolen items.

Two security guards were on duty at the time but were seen leaving the store during the incident.