A high note in retail security: The unexpected way stores are deterring theft

There’s something unusual happening in some Australian supermarkets, and shoppers can’t help but notice the change. The atmosphere feels calmer, the noise a little softer—and there’s something unexpected behind it all. As it turns out, this new approach has less to do with ambience and more to do with safety.

The Prahran experiment: opera as security guard

Coles has rolled out an unusual security measure at its Chapel Street store in Prahran, Melbourne, blasting everything from Beethoven to Pavarotti both inside the store and onto the street.

The reason? To deter thieves in what staff claim is 'one of Victoria's most targeted supermarkets.'

While it might sound like something from a comedy sketch, this musical approach to crime prevention comes as Australia grapples with its most serious retail theft crisis in over two decades.

Australia's retail theft epidemic reaches crisis levels

The numbers paint a sobering picture: 595,660 victims of theft were recorded nationally in 2024—the highest number in 21 years and a 6% increase on the previous year. But what's particularly concerning for supermarket shoppers is where these thefts are happening.

Thefts at retail locations have surged dramatically, rising from 32% of all thefts in 2010 to 45% in 2024.

Supermarkets bear a significant burden, accounting for just over a quarter of all reported retail theft incidents.

Victoria is leading this unwelcome charge. The state recorded a staggering 29% increase in theft during 2024, making it the worst-affected state in the country.

Victoria recorded 169,673 victims of retail theft in 2024—more than 50,000 more than New South Wales.

A symphony of deterrence

The Prahran Coles store's decision to pipe classical music onto Chapel Street required approval from Stonnington Council, but the results appear to justify the effort.

According to store representatives, customers and staff have responded positively, noting 'a relaxing and more welcoming environment.'

During a four-hour observation, staff witnessed seven theft incidents, including people stashing chocolate bars and attempting to walk out with groceries. This frequency helps explain why the store felt compelled to try unconventional deterrents.

The science behind the strategy isn't entirely far-fetched. Classical music has been linked to increased dopamine production, which can create a calming effect on listeners.

However, the theory suggests that younger people—who statistically are more likely to engage in retail theft—may find the sound irritating enough to move along.

Recent research supports this demographic divide: 17% of Gen Z respondents admitted to leaving a supermarket without paying for an item, compared to just 2% of Gen X shoppers.

A symphony of precedents

Coles isn't breaking entirely new ground with this approach. The use of classical music as a behavioural deterrent has been trialled in various settings across Australia and internationally for decades.

In Victoria, Swan Hill Rural City Council has been piping Wagner's 'Ride of the Valkyries' into public toilets, with infrastructure director Leah Johnston reporting 'a dramatic reduction in antisocial behaviour' after three to four weeks of the musical intervention.

In western Sydney, staff at Blacktown Station played classical music over concourse speakers back in 2015 to stop loitering around ticket gates—another early example of how public spaces have used sound to influence behaviour.

Some overseas stores have followed similar models. A group of 7-Eleven stores in Canada began using Mozart and Beethoven to disperse crowds of teenagers from their car parks in 1985.

The practice has continued in the US, with California 7-Elevens using classical music since at least 2019.

It's not clear whether classical music itself annoys loiterers or whether it's the volume that keeps them away. But studies on the London Underground found that violence in stations was reduced by one-third when classical music was played over the public address system.

Beyond the soundtrack: the bigger security picture

While opera music makes headlines, it's just one part of a broader security overhaul happening across Australian retail.

Some retailers have been forced to roll back self-checkouts because inventory losses became too significant, particularly in regional areas where the technology isn't sophisticated enough to prevent theft.

The human cost is also mounting. Retail workers, many of whom are casual employees on modest wages, increasingly face aggressive responses when confronting shoplifters, with shame and embarrassment often leading to dangerous situations.

There's been an alarming rise in verbal threats and weapon-related intimidation in shopping centres, bottle shops, and supermarkets across the country. This escalation helps explain why non-confrontational approaches like background music are gaining appeal.

What drives the theft surge?

Experts point to the introduction of self-checkouts and cost-of-living pressures as key contributors to rising retail theft.

As living costs soar and household budgets stretch, retailers are facing a confluence of challenges that could push many to the brink.

Disturbingly, research from Monash University found that more than one in four consumers now believe retail theft is justifiable to some degree—a shift in social attitudes that retailers are scrambling to address.

The verdict on musical deterrents

While it's too early to declare the Prahran opera experiment a complete success, the approach offers several advantages over more intrusive security measures.

Unlike surveillance cameras or security tags on products, background music doesn't significantly impact the shopping experience for honest customers.

The method also avoids the privacy concerns that have dogged facial recognition technology trials in Australian supermarkets, while potentially creating a more pleasant environment for the majority of shoppers who aren't there to steal.

As major supermarkets explore high-tech solutions like facial recognition, some experts suggest the real answer may lie in understanding human behaviour rather than just surveillance technology.

Whether other stores will follow Coles' lead remains to be seen, but as theft continues to reach record highs, don't be surprised if your next grocery run comes with a side of Pavarotti.

The question for shoppers is whether they're ready for a world where their weekly grocery run might come with a soundtrack worthy of La Scala.

Given the alternative of empty shelves or fortress-like security measures, perhaps a little culture with your cornflakes isn't such a bad trade-off.

Read next: Is your supermarket locking your goods away? Here's the reason behind the strange security measure

Key Takeaways

• Coles' Prahran store in Melbourne has begun playing opera music, including works by Beethoven and Pavarotti, as a creative way to deter theft.
• The move follows a surge in retail crime, with Victoria recording the highest theft rates in the country and supermarkets among the most affected.
• Similar uses of classical music have been seen across Australia and overseas, from Swan Hill public spaces to London Underground stations.
• While it’s unclear whether the effect comes from the music itself or its volume, early signs suggest it helps reduce antisocial behaviour and creates a calmer shopping environment.

What do you think of using classical music as a crime deterrent? Have you noticed any unusual security measures during your recent shopping trips? Share your experiences in the comments below.