Bacon and Sausages Padlocked at Tesco Stores in London to Combat Theft

In an effort to tackle shoplifting, a Tesco Express store in Bermondsey, south London, took the unconventional step of locking sausages and bacon in a fridge. A notice was placed on the chilled meats cabinet, informing customers that the items were locked for “stock and availability” protection, and they needed to seek assistance from staff to make a purchase.

This measure is seen by consumer expert Jane Hawkes as a concerning sign of the times, highlighting the cost of living crisis and increasing number of struggling individuals resorting to extreme measures. Although Tesco clarified that the decision to implement increased security measures for certain high-value items was not a company-wide policy, it acknowledged the need for store-level discretion.

The Impact of Inflation on Shoplifting

With concerns over crime and double-digit inflation, supermarkets are taking extra precautions to prevent theft. Asda, for example, introduced security tags on £6 packs of Lurpak butter after experiencing a wave of thefts during price surges last summer. Retail expert Clive Black highlights the challenges faced by supermarkets in combatting shoplifting during times of hardship, where theft becomes a means of survival for some and an opportunity for the less scrupulous in the face of higher prices.

According to a Freedom of Information request made by The Telegraph, theft cases in the industry increased by 16% in the three months leading up to October. More than 20 police forces reported responding to 10,019 theft incidents, with Tesco and Sainsbury’s emerging as the most targeted supermarkets, accounting for 40% of all reports.