Co-op stores have been forced to lock away everyday goods such as chocolate, coffee and even honey as the cost of living crisis causes a surge in shoplifting. Many items across the shop are now in thick, plastic GPS protected security boxes to stop people from swiping them off the shelves.
Toiletries are also among the goods locked up, with sun cream, moisturiser and nose spray being among the protected items. Previously some stores had put labelled dummy goods on the shelf telling shoppers to ask for them if they wanted to buy and there were security tags on baby products.
But this is the first time chocolate has been locked away along with items such as a fruit and nut bar selling for only £1.35. A shop worker from the north London branch said that they have had to take the measure due to shoplifters in the store.
He said: “We have had to do it because of shoplifters. Things like coffee, even chocolate was being stolen so much so that’s why we have done this.
“Now if you want to buy something in a box you have to bring it up to us and we can get it for you.”
The cost of living has continued to rise in recent months, creating challenges for many in the UK. According to the Office of National Statistics: "In the UK, the price of consumer goods and services rose at the fastest rate in four decades in the year to October 2022.
"The annual inflation rate rose to 7.9 per cent in the 12 months to May 2023, up from 7.8 per cent in April 2023."
Food prices have also been rising quickly over the past year. In May 2023 they were just over 18 per cent higher than the year before. One of the main reasons for the cost of living crisis is Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
With gas supply lines cut from Russia, energy prices have soared, while a shortage of Ukrainian exports such as grain and sunflower oil has contributed to a jump in global food prices. As a result, according to the Office of National Statistics, in England and Wales, shoplifting has risen by 20 per cent compared with the year ending September 2021.
A Co-op spokesperson said: "Protecting the safety of our colleagues is a priority and we know shoplifting can be a flashpoint for violence against shopworkers so, whilst this is not a nationwide policy, a decision to implement product security measures at a local level will be made, if a store is experiencing a particular issue."
The firm has trialled the use of security packaging on higher value items for a number of years. A decision to implement product security measures at a local level will be made, if a store is experiencing a particular issue.
