Signs of the Times

 Shoplifting

 Recently I was shopping for a friend who can no longer shop for himself and I was unable to find electric razors at a big pharmacy chain store. An attendant directed me to the front counter where they were found in securely locked cabinets. She indicated that such items would disappear quickly if left on the open shelves. 

Spiralled knobs on displays are meant to deter theft of razors

   You may have noticed that more items are now under lock and key, or attached to the display in such a way they are difficult to remove. As well, you may have noticed that there are less entrances and exits and that the remaining one forces you through security gates. Or, you may have seen more security guards. 

"Retail Shrink"

   You will surely have noticed that prices are higher and one reason for that is that customers are stealing more. Even organized crime is involved. “Retailers reported that incidents of organized retail crime increased in 2021 by an average of 26.5 percent, according to the retail federation. Store owners, the report says, blamed organized retail crime for about half of the $94.5 billion lost that year to retail shrink — the depletion of inventory caused by something other than sales.”

Sources: 

“As Retailers Leave Some Cities, One Grocery Chain is Trying to Stay,” Jaclyn Peiser, Washington Post, May 29, 2023. The chain is Giant Food and they are taking such steps as mentioned above, rather than closing.

Cited in the article is this study by the National Retail Federation: “Organized Retail Crime: An Assessment of a Persistent and Growing Threat,” April 13, 2023. Although I will not include the link, the entire report is available for free.

Canadian Content:

  That shoplifting is a problem in this country is apparent from sampling these articles:  "Vancouver Shoplifting Crackdown Sees nearly 140 Arrested," Emily Marsten, Vancouver City News, May 16, 2023. "Police in Vancouver say dozens of people were arrested as part of a recent crackdown on shoplifting.The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) says the two-week project comes after another operation in February and March that saw more than 200 people arrested."

  Or, closer to home: Video Captures Winners Loss Prevention Officers Struggling With Shoplifting Suspect," Codi Wilson, CTV News Toronto, May 25, 2023.

   "Toronto Crime Stoppers Launches Organized Crime Retail Awareness Campaign," Blue Line: Canada's Law Enforcement Magazine, Jan. 11, 2023.

The Bonus: 
  Since there is little in the way of analysis in this post, I will at least offer one solution that may help reduce thefts:

See also from Mulcahy's Miscellany - "Spider Security."