Tim Richards3d ago

Interesting piece about supermarket theft and its intersection with the cost of living crisis. I shake my head at supermarkets installing customer-hostile security measures, when they could just reinstate staffed checkouts. (Also their dodgy behaviour over illusory discounts hasn't won them any friends.)

[gift link] https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/share/22860/2OX13elG

Inside supermarket surveillance measures

Australian retail crime costs an estimated $9 billion a year. It is a growing problem, with 70 per cent of retailers reporting increased theft in 2024/25. Total retail loss includes “shrink” – goods lost between manufacture and point of sale – internal theft and vendor fraud. The biggest contributor by far, though, is theft by customers or other third parties.

The Saturday Paper
Show threadInsurgo Formica3d ago
@timrichards yes, i was at a self serve and made a mistake scanning cat food of all things.
The staff member basically accused me of theft and stood over me the rest of the transaction.
In hindsight, I wished I'd packed it all up and made the check out person do it to ensure "no mistakes"
Show threadvandenberglegs3d ago
@InsurgoFormica @timrichards I accidentally walked out of the shop without paying for a couple of things the other day. Was self-serving and my empty bags fell in the trolley on top of the items. Didn't notice til much later, and it definitely wouldn't have happened if if there were enough staffed tills.
Show threadInsurgo Formica
@vandenberglegs @timrichards exactly!
Mar 23 at 3:10amWeb