‘Broken Britain’, complain shoppers as Tesco wraps another everyday item in nets to deter shoplifters
TESCO has locked up another everyday item in an anti-tamper netting in a bid to foil shoplifters.
Shoppers have been left fuming over a drastic security measure during the shoplifting epidemic.
One shock survey has revealed that almost half of UK adults steal from supermarkets.
Meanwhile, The British Retail Consortium said thefts have cost retailers around £1.8billion in 2022-23, up from £953million the previous year.
In a desperate attempt to deter customers from pinching goods, Tesco has been wrapping items in nets.
And sweet treats have become the latest target of thieves as the supermarket had to put security tags on beloved Heroes and Celebrations boxes.
One eagle-eyed shopper has spotted fan-favourite chocolates wrapped in the protective netting.
In a post, they wrote: “Broken Britain. What is it coming to when Tesco have to put security tags on Hero’s and Celebrations?”
Tesco added that certain items may be protected from theft at specific stores if needed.
Previously, the supermarket giant had to put security sleeves over the expensive bottles of extra virgin oil.
Olive oil has been dubbed “liquid gold” after lower harvests and higher production costs led to prices soaring.
Tesco shocked customers in February this year after whacking security tags on pens priced at £2.20 at one of its stores.
Shoppers were also stunned after the supermarket slapped security tags on loo roll with shoplifting spiralling out of control.
Tesco isn’t the only supermarket ramping up security measures to battle the rising retail crime.
Co-Op had to lock fruit&nut chocolate bars in security boxes despite the treat retailing only at £1.35.
The supermarket also put empty coffee jars on shelves, with customers having to ask for the real deal if they want to make a purchase.
Meanwhile, Marks & Spencer has started displaying just a single steak on its food shelves, asking customers to contact staff if they would like to buy one.
Sainsbury’s slapped security tags on Easter eggs to curb shoplifting on the popular goodies.
In June last year Morrisons introduced electronic gates at some of its stores’ tills meaning shoppers now have to scan their receipts to exit.
The measure was put in place across several branches to stop shoppers from leaving with products they haven’t paid for.
It came after Sainsbury’s introduced the same measure in November 2022, with shoppers saying they felt like “hostages”.
One fumed on Twitter: “I’ve been loyal to Sainsbury’s for 30 years.
“Now it stops. How dare you insult me, by scanning receipts to leave.”
A second said: “Essentially they are holding [people] hostage against their will.”
Primark launched self-service tills in some of its stores in 2022 as well, with customers having to scan receipts to leave.
The same retailer also started adding giant “sold” stickers to carrier bags in March in a bid to halt shoplifters.
Other changes Tesco has made
Tesco is ditching its toy aisle across 750 stores as part of a new partnership with The Entertainer.
Concessions have already opened at 250 stores with hundreds more to follow.
Tesco has also opened hundreds of Paperchase concessions in store after the card retailer went bust.
The UK’s biggest supermarket also made a major change to its Clubcard logo earlier this year following a legal battle with Lidl.