No more access to customers as retail stores in the U.S. have begun locking up their goods.
Not Too Long Ago
Thinking of it now, it might seem like it happened very long ago. Still, the truth is that an event costing the U.S. millions of dollars has started all the extra precautionary steps to safeguard stores from loss to theft.
Largest Counts of Theft of All Time
The mass theft in 2021 during the George Floyd movement, which occurred “unintentionally,” resulted in many retailers losing stock. For some stores, they would not be able to recover.
Seeing Behind Glass
Fast forward to today, shops like Target and others have started locking things up behind glass. Now customers must request a store worker to open it.
What Things Get Locked Away?
In the past, only the more expensive, small items or regulated items were put “under lock and key,” but these days, nearly everything, including detergents, gets locked away.
Deterrent for Theft
According to retailers, the purpose of locking away the goods is to create an “anti-theft deterrent.”
Theft Causing Losses
2021 Saw one of the worst retail losses that some large companies struggled to recover from. Brookings Institution noted that many retail outlets were pushing a “narrative of widespread retail theft,” leading to ultimate “store closures.”
Stores “Forced to Close” Down
In 2023, retail theft gained more traction, leading to other retail chains following suit by locking up all their goods to prevent theft. Brookings Institute noted that previous retail stores like Walgreens and Target blamed theft for their drastic action to shutting some stores.
Same Rules Apply
Not everyone has bad intentions, but the deterrent strategy applies to possible thieves and all shoppers. Everyone who wants to see or purchase the item locked away has to go through the same process of getting someone to assist in opening the cabinet.
Skipping Stores “Under Lock and Key”
Some customers reportedly avoid certain stores, especially those that are heavily locking goods away. Instead, they’re going to places where there are less-locked goods and easier shopping accessibility.
Customers Travel Further To Avoid Inconvenience
Dallas Morning News reported the experience of Bryan Calhoun, an agency recruiter who said he travels further. To skip those pesky locked goods, Calhoun is fine with traveling further. He’s rather go to a Target that doesn’t lock most of their items behind the cabinets. He’s mentioned seeing everything from “detergents, socks, and toiletries” locked away.
Go in for One Item, Come Out Having Spent More
Calhoun also mentioned that Target has been so good in drawing shoppers in. The store has so many different stuff that shoppers would go in for a tiny item“…and come out with $200 worth of goods.”
Too Much Inconvenience
With items locked away, fewer customers would feel the urge to spend more, given the fact that they first have to get the items unlocked. Just to examine the product before buying it would require flagging down a staff member to assist. If you decided a customer didn’t want the item, all that effort would be such a waste for everyone.
To Buy or Not To Buy
Still, only seeing the product from behind the perspex and glass casings is not always enough to decide whether to purchase or not.
Police Find Stolen Goods
According to Bloomberg, a “police raid” had uncovered an estimated $2 million worth of stolen merchandise at a warehouse located in Los Angeles. Amongst the confiscated goods were kitchen appliances, electronics, household goods, and cosmetics, to name a few.
“Organized Crime”
Goods could be part of a larger crime, and most likely, organized crime police noted. Often, stolen goods are sold as “third-party sellers” on sites like Amazon and other online retail outlets.
Thieves Stepping up Stealing Tactics
The police also alleged that the seized goods were most likely stolen “in transit” rather than from a retail store.
Stamp out Crime and Sales?
Potential customers are deterred, from thefts, when it comes to locking up goods. In a way, it works, but it also deters shoppers.
Underperforming Stores Come From Locking up Goods?
Some retail giants have mentioned closing down “underperforming” stores. Stores might be underperforming due to the lock and key deterrent situation that annoys customers.
Maybe Not the Best Long-Term Solution
For now, many customers are turning to online shopping to avoid the inconvenience of having to look at items behind a barrier instead of freely shopping as before. Retail stores might continue struggling with this form of theft control.
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