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

As the cost of living continues to rise, supermarkets across the world have been implementing security measures to keep shoplifters at bay.

However, a recent video shot at a supermarket left shoppers all over the world scratching their heads.


A Target store in the United States left shoppers confused because of an actress and comedian's video inside the retail store.

Los Angeles local Samantha Wynn Greenstone showed a seemingly mundane detail in Target stores that shoppers across the globe found strange.

While wandering the store's aisles, Ms Greenstone saw bottles of laundry detergent openly accessible to customers.


compressed-laundry detergent.jpeg
Samantha Wynn Greenstone showed open-access supermarket shelves in contrast to the locked version in her home city. Image Credit: TikTok/Samantha Wynn Greenstone


'You don't need an assistant. They trust you,' she shared in her video.

According to Ms Greenstone, laundry detergent bottles in Target stores in Los Angeles were tucked away in glass shelves.

The open access to laundry products was proof that she was 'no longer in Los Angeles.'


While this was a new experience for Ms Greenstone, her story sparked a wave of confusion and curiosity across social media.

Shoppers from various parts of the world expressed their astonishment about Ms Greenstone's experience.

'What in the world? They lock up laundry detergent,' one user curiously wrote.

'Why are there doors on the aisle? I don't understand what is happening?' another asked.

'They lock soap like it's a laptop.'

Australian shoppers also shared about certain items locked behind glass shelves.

'Laundry detergent does not get locked up in Australia. Only paint and sprays,' an Aussie shared.


Australia also had its fair share of locking goods away from the public.

In 2023, Woolworths stores in Cairns, Mount Isla, Darwin, and a store in the NSW Northern Rivers reportedly secured deodorant cans behind locked cabinets.

Customers who wanted to purchase deodorant cans had to call for assistance.

The supermarket implemented this security measure to 'reduce the abuse of these products.'


Coles supermarkets also raised shoppers' eyebrows after placing two varieties of Capilano Manuka Honey in secured storage.

However, some understood the rationale behind tucking the honey brand away.

'It is $30 Manuka honey, and it's medicinal-level. That's usually really expensive,' a shopper shared.

Popular beauty product Lucas' Papaw Ointments also got encased in security boxes at Coles.

Watch Samantha Wynn Greenstone's discovery here:

Source: @samanthawynngreenstone/TikTok

Supermarkets locking everyday items away on shelves raised questions about loss prevention and customer convenience in retail.

As the mundane shopping experiences continue to evolve, it's clear that what may seem bizarre to some is simply a reality for others.
Key Takeaways

  • Actress Samantha Wynn Greenstone shared a video of open-access laundry detergent shelves at a Target store.
  • Ms Greenstone noted the difference from Target stores in her area, where items like laundry detergent were typically locked away.
  • The video sparked confusion among viewers, as many were unaware that laundry detergent is commonly locked up in some US stores.
  • Australian supermarkets, such as Woolworths and Coles, have also locked up several items from shoppers, such as deodorant cans and medicinal Manuka Honey, as precautions against theft or misuse.
Have you seen locked-up items during your shopping trips? Does it surprise you to see everyday products secured like high-value items? Don't keep your thoughts and opinions tucked away—share them with us in the comments section below!
 

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Supermarkets lose billions of $'s due to thefts. Shopping trolleys can be found in the ocean!!!! (why??) .... They have to do something and off course, it will have a price tag. Why Australians steal food I don't know, because St.Vinnies give vouchers for food, Salvos give vouchers too and/or big boxes of food. In every town there is a place where you can get free food, free meals at churches, free furniture, free clothes, heck nowadays even cards like a bank card to go do your washing at a laundromats. I know, because I volunteer at such a place. Every single day between 10am and 12 noon, they can come in and have a cuppa and free ham/cheese/tomato toasties (free) as many as they like. There are also a huge basket full of fruit they can help themselves to it, and we also have showers they can have. Then afterwards they go to another section of the church where they get meat vouchers from a local butcher shop, plus they go into the grocery section and pick foods that they want, example, bread or bread buns, frozen meals, Oats or Kelloggs, cheese, milk, spreads for bread, jams, vegemite, plus cans of food, toiletpaper etc etc. They even get pet food for their pets! They can get hair brushes, hair combs, and toiletries and stuff for women. SO WHY THE HECK STEAL ⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️⁉️
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If this keeps going all shops will be "NO ENTRY by the PUBLIC" they will basically become a mini warehouse to store stuff for all the online orders only. But in doing this ALL of them will miss out on the impulse buy, which can be about 30%+ of your shopping.
 
An article from the United States of Unconsciousness has no bearing on the average Australian shopper.

However, a small bottle shop in Dandenong, Victoria, had EVERY drop of alcohol for sale in locked cabinets BEHIND the counter! Grossly overpriced as well.

Understandably, the bottle shop has closed its doors for good.
 
  • Sad
Reactions: Dynamo
The only items I've ever known to be locked away were CD's, DVD's and records. The sleeves are on display but the items themselves are only placed in the sleeve once you buy it. Having washing powder under lock and key seems very strange to me
 
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Reactions: magpie1 and Dynamo
The only items I've ever known to be locked away were CD's, DVD's and records. The sleeves are on display but the items themselves are only placed in the sleeve once you buy it. Having washing powder under lock and key seems very strange to me
It has become very expensive in country areas.
 
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Reactions: NotNats
You mean that all of these GRUBBY looking thieves.....actually wash their clothes? or is there something more nefarious going on with washing powder that isn't explained in the article.?:unsure:
 
You mean that all of these GRUBBY looking thieves.....actually wash their clothes? or is there something more nefarious going on with washing powder that isn't explained in the article.?:unsure:
They probably sniff it and they have their faves between the various brands.
 
  • Wow
Reactions: magpie1
They probably sniff it and they have their faves between the various brands.
Well that would certainly clean out all of their brain cells then....enough said, it all makes sense now about why they would do it. :ROFLMAO:.....🎶🎶, my memory won't come back, my memory won't come back, I've waved my brain all over the place, but my memory won't come back....🎶🎶
 
The only items I've ever known to be locked away were CD's, DVD's and records. The sleeves are on display but the items themselves are only placed in the sleeve once you buy it. Having washing powder under lock and key seems very strange to me
I remember going to the store and my Mum asking for underwear that was bought out in a large cardboard box. You chose the items you wanted, and the box was placed back on the shelf. A bit like the old cowboy movies. 🤠
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: NotNats and magpie1
If you noticed the glass doors were open they probably only lock after closing
 
If you noticed the glass doors were open they probably only lock after closing
My Woolies store locks all of the mens' deodorants and other products away and you have to get a staff member to open it and get what you want to buy......its getting bad when they have to lock things away in store during trading hours isn't it.?
 

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