SHOPPERS at Giant Food have been confronted by a new age-restriction policy, forcing some customers to make some changes.
A select number of stores in Washington DC and Maryland have started banning certain minors.
The new policy aimed to tackle theft bans minors from the affected stores if it is after 6 pm and they are without an adult.
Minors are those who are under the age of 18 years old.
This plan is “to mitigate the unprecedented levels of product theft” that has made business at these certain stores “unsustainable,” Giant Good told Fox News Digital.
“Retail theft in our market area affects everyone,” the retailer said.
“It limits product availability, creates a less convenient shopping experience, and, most critically, puts our associates and customers in harm’s way.”
The age and time restriction was launched at all seven DC Giant stores on August 22.
Meanwhile, two stores in Baltimore and three in Prince George’s County, Maryland, have also been affected.
In addition to enforcing age restrictions, some shoppers may also have to rethink their shopping accessories.
Giant Food is also banning bags larger than 14 inches by 14 inches by six inches in select stores.
However, at locations that accept large bags, customers must get the bag tagged before they enter the store.
They then have to consent to a bag search upon their exit.
Giant has previously rolled out anti-theft measures including self-checkout item limits, increased security, reduced store exit points, placing certain items under lock and key, and working with cops.
However, as the chain continues to suffer huge losses at certain stores while also fearing for the safety of workers and customers, further changes have to be made.
“None of the tactics we deploy is the ultimate solution to the problem we face,” the chain told Fox Digital.
“Still, we continue to invest in efforts to improve safety for our associates and customers and reduce theft.”
What is retail crime?
Retail theft has become a major issue for shops and customers in recent years as crime rates have soared.
Several CEOs have blamed organized retail crime for their use of unpopular anti-theft measures like locking items and receipt checks.
ORC is the large-scale theft of goods in stores with the intent of reselling them.
These operations could involve multiple people working together to steal or large quantities of high value items being taken while attempting to evade in-store security.
Retailers have reported a rise in shrink, which is the industry term for goods lost through theft or misplacement.
A 2023 National Retail Security Survey by the National Retail Federation showed that shrink increased to 1.6%.
The survey also revealed that ORC increased from 70.7% in 2022 to 78.15 in 2023.
Retailers have also shared their worries about threats of violence against staff that have been associated with retail theft.
Several industry leaders have shared their concerns about these worrying levels of crime.
Target’s CEO last year said the chain would close multiple stores due to the threat of “theft and organized retail crime” to employees and “business performance.”
A former Toys “R” Us CEO claimed some stores were “afraid” to stop thieves” and said changing attitudes toward theft had impacted stores.
Giant Food is not the only retailer facing this issue.
Retail theft currently costs the industry over $100 billion a year, and this is predicted to increase to $140 billion by 2025, according to Capital One Shopping.
Data specifically for Washington DC showed that in 2022, retailers in DC lost $ 120 million due to theft.
Some shoppers in DC may already be used to the age-restriction rules rolled out by Giant after Target introduced the same rules back in April.
Meanwhile, other retailers like Safeway, Walmart, and Harris Teeter, have rolled out self-checkout limitations, receipt checks, and scanners.
GIANT’S FULL STATEMENT
The U.S. Sun reached out to Giant Food for comment and received the following statement:
“Giant Food has revised its policy at select stores experiencing high shrinkage to mitigate the unprecedented levels of product theft that have become unsustainable for our business.
“Customers cannot bring in bags larger than 14” x 14” x 6” while shopping in these stores.
“In selected stores, bags measuring 14” 14” x 6” will be allowed if the customer consents to having the bag tagged prior to entry and to having the bag searched before exit.
“In addition, at select stores starting on August 22, shoppers under the age of 18 may not enter without an adult after 6 p.m.
“Retail theft in our market area affects everyone. It limits product availability, creates a less convenient shopping experience, and, most critically, puts our associates and customers in harm’s way.
“Still, we continue to invest in improving safety for our associates and customers and reducing theft.
“At Giant Food, the well-being of our community, customers, and associates is paramount. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together to create a more secure shopping environment for everyone.
“We have invested in a host of measures to mitigate theft and violence in our stores…None of the tactics we deploy is the ultimate solution to the problem we face.
“Still, we continue to invest in efforts to improve safety for our associates and customers and reduce theft.”