HALF of Americans have had to change their shopping habits due to massive closures as anti-theft policies continue to impact shoppers.
Retailers are fighting shoplifting by resorting to practices such as locking items behind anti-theft glass and checking receipts.
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However, customers have raised concerns, saying the new measures ruin the shopping experience.
Some have even decided to boycott the stores in favor of shopping elsewhere.
One thousand Americans were interviewed about their shopping habits and whether they have changed, in an exclusive survey commissioned by The US Sun.
Nearly half of Americans (48%) believe self-checkout at grocery stores is a good thing.
Self-checkout has grown in popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic when shoppers and employees have had to socially distance.
However, as pandemic regulations were relaxed, several stores continued to use self-checkout, angering some shoppers.
Democrats are more likely to feel more positive about self-checkout than Republicans, according to the survey.
BRAIDED
Shoppers were also asked whether anti-theft measures affected their ability to get the items they needed from stores.
Around 16% of respondents said that in the last week, the last time they went shopping, they were unable to buy something because it was locked.
Many retailers place expensive items behind anti-theft glass, but lately, cheaper items have been placed in checkouts because they are frequently stolen by thieves.
Essential items such as vitamins, deodorants and underwear can be seen locked behind glass in many stores.
Cases require customers to call an employee to pick up items, however, many customers said this adds time to their tasks.
“A lot of people saw Target as a way to relax and discover new products,” wrote one shopper on X, formerly known as Twitter, where many people talk about their experiences.
“You would buy deodorant, but you would leave with 10 other products that you didn’t need. But now it feels like I’m BEGGING them to spend MY money. Them locking things up takes away the ‘fantasy’ they used to have.”
Another shopper urged retailers to hire more staff if they wanted to lock up items.
“Every hallway in my target there were people waiting for employees. And waiting. And waiting,” they said.
However, around 19% of respondents said they never had a problem getting items that were locked away.
Target CEO Brian Cornell echoed this, saying CNBC that buyers are grateful to see items in stock.
“In fact, what we hear from guests is a big thank you, because we stock the brands they need when they shop in our stores,” he said.
STORE CLOSURES
The 2023 National Retail Security Survey found that theft-related losses increased from $93.9 billion in 2021 to $112.1 billion in 2022.
“Retailers are seeing unprecedented levels of theft, along with rampant crime in their stores, and the situation is becoming increasingly dire,” he said. he said NRF Vice President for Asset Protection and Retail Operations, David Johnston.
Many stores have had to close their doors due to rising costs resulting from shoplifting and inflation.
Nearly half of Americans (49%) said their shopping habits were affected by store closures.
Around 54% of this number came from Northeasterners, more than any other region.
Last year, nine Target stores had to close after facing multiple theft incidents.
“We cannot continue to operate these stores because theft and organized retail crime are threatening the safety of our staff and guests and contributing to business performance,” Target said in a press release at the time.
In May, a Walgreens store closed its doors after the location was hit by robberies and violent incidents.
“You could just be walking and they grab your bag and start running and leave you with nothing,” one shopper told the ABC affiliate. WJLA-TV about the location of Maryland.
“That’s why when I’m here, before I get out of the car, I always look around first.”
The US Sun reached out to TargetWalmart and Walgreens for comment.
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