Shocking Way Aussies Are Combatting Rising Supermarket Prices
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No matter how hard the going gets, we always find a way to adapt, manoeuvre and survive.
But a recent phenomenon related to the spiralling costs of everyday living has left many shocked.
The issue at hand is one we all can relate to—rising supermarket prices.
An alarming trend that has emerged out of this crisis is reportedly a surge in shoplifting incidents at supermarkets nationwide.
A Coles spokesperson confirmed this worrying trend, stating that the issue isn’t isolated to one supermarket chain.
As the spokesperson put it, this trend of supermarket shoplifting is an 'industry-wide problem'.
Coles, along with other supermarkets, has reportedly been catching hundreds of thieves on a weekly basis.
'We have observed an increase in theft which is an issue affecting all retailers across Australia and internationally, and one that we will continue to address.' the spokesperson stated.
Woolworths and ALDI have not spoken about this issue. Still, despite not confirming a similar upward trend in theft, both supermarkets are actively instituting anti-theft measures in their retail outlets.
Woolworths states it employs a range of initiatives to combat retail crime and safeguard its employees.
In June last year, Woolworths firmly refuted claims that it utilised face recognition technology in its stores.
This response came after a circulating screenshot of a training module suggesting that Woolworths employed ‘facial mapping to identify thieves’.
A similar technology was observed in a Sydney ALDI store last month, but a spokesperson from ALDI clarified that the store does not employ facial recognition or AI technology.
‘We have theft prevention mechanisms in all our stores such as CCTV.’ the ALDI spokesperson said.
Coles has also confirmed that it implements various security measures to combat theft.
Among these measures is the deployment of many plain-clothes loss prevention officers who work diligently to apprehend numerous thieves weekly.
A spokesperson said that Coles uses CCTV, product protection, target hardening, as well as electronic article surveillance. They added, ‘Additionally, there has been the installation of front entry gates and glass balustrading entry in some stores as well as trolley wheel locks.’
In October of last year, Tasmania experienced a significant 30 per cent increase in supermarket shoplifting incidents.
Tasmania Police Inspector Nathan Johnston attributed this rise to factors such as the escalating cost of living and homelessness, which contributed to the overall prevalence of theft.
Similarly, in March, it was reported that store theft in New South Wales had risen by 23.7 per cent compared to the previous year (2021 to 2022). As if that wasn’t enough, Queensland had the highest monthly rate of shoplifting recorded this January!
While these statistics paint an alarming picture, the true impact of this economy-induced crisis is most visible in the experiences of the day-to-day Aussies navigating these tough times.
Sandra Sutera, a Manager at an IGA store, recalls an uptick in theft incidents at her store.
According to her, it is not uncommon for shoppers to be apprehended while attempting to conceal items by putting them in their pockets or even down their pants.
She said, ‘You get good people that are doing silly things. Some people are too proud to ask for money, and then they steal, and it's really sad.’
Fleur Brown, the Chief Industry Affairs Officer of the Australian Retailers Association, has acknowledged a steady rise in retail crime, which has had a significant impact on retailers' financial performance.
This increased crime has affected their bottom line and poses challenges for the retail industry.
Furthermore, Australian households are facing the impact of rising inflation, leading to a substantial increase in grocery expenses.
On average, households now spend an additional $1,924 on groceries yearly.
This surge in costs has put financial strain on many individuals and families, with 78 per cent of Australians forced to cut back on their spending to cope with these challenges.
Shoplifting doesn’t just increase costs for retailers; we, the regular shoppers, end up with a heftier price tag on our groceries to cover the losses.
Members, if you require food relief of any kind, please do not hesitate to contact the Foodbank location in your state or territory. Listed below are their details:
You can also visit Ask Izzy, which can put you in touch with nearby organisations that provide food aid.
Share your unique tips and experiences with the rising supermarket prices. Let's lighten the load with our wisdom and camaraderie.
But a recent phenomenon related to the spiralling costs of everyday living has left many shocked.
The issue at hand is one we all can relate to—rising supermarket prices.
An alarming trend that has emerged out of this crisis is reportedly a surge in shoplifting incidents at supermarkets nationwide.
Engaging in shoplifting to cope with the increasing cost of living is illegal and can result in severe legal and ethical consequences. Image from shutterstock
A Coles spokesperson confirmed this worrying trend, stating that the issue isn’t isolated to one supermarket chain.
As the spokesperson put it, this trend of supermarket shoplifting is an 'industry-wide problem'.
Coles, along with other supermarkets, has reportedly been catching hundreds of thieves on a weekly basis.
'We have observed an increase in theft which is an issue affecting all retailers across Australia and internationally, and one that we will continue to address.' the spokesperson stated.
Woolworths and ALDI have not spoken about this issue. Still, despite not confirming a similar upward trend in theft, both supermarkets are actively instituting anti-theft measures in their retail outlets.
Woolworths states it employs a range of initiatives to combat retail crime and safeguard its employees.
In June last year, Woolworths firmly refuted claims that it utilised face recognition technology in its stores.
This response came after a circulating screenshot of a training module suggesting that Woolworths employed ‘facial mapping to identify thieves’.
A similar technology was observed in a Sydney ALDI store last month, but a spokesperson from ALDI clarified that the store does not employ facial recognition or AI technology.
‘We have theft prevention mechanisms in all our stores such as CCTV.’ the ALDI spokesperson said.
Coles has also confirmed that it implements various security measures to combat theft.
It is advisable to explore alternative strategies such as budgeting, seeking financial assistance, or exploring additional income sources to manage economic challenges responsibly. Image by Jack Sparrow from pexels
Among these measures is the deployment of many plain-clothes loss prevention officers who work diligently to apprehend numerous thieves weekly.
A spokesperson said that Coles uses CCTV, product protection, target hardening, as well as electronic article surveillance. They added, ‘Additionally, there has been the installation of front entry gates and glass balustrading entry in some stores as well as trolley wheel locks.’
In October of last year, Tasmania experienced a significant 30 per cent increase in supermarket shoplifting incidents.
Tasmania Police Inspector Nathan Johnston attributed this rise to factors such as the escalating cost of living and homelessness, which contributed to the overall prevalence of theft.
Similarly, in March, it was reported that store theft in New South Wales had risen by 23.7 per cent compared to the previous year (2021 to 2022). As if that wasn’t enough, Queensland had the highest monthly rate of shoplifting recorded this January!
While these statistics paint an alarming picture, the true impact of this economy-induced crisis is most visible in the experiences of the day-to-day Aussies navigating these tough times.
Sandra Sutera, a Manager at an IGA store, recalls an uptick in theft incidents at her store.
According to her, it is not uncommon for shoppers to be apprehended while attempting to conceal items by putting them in their pockets or even down their pants.
She said, ‘You get good people that are doing silly things. Some people are too proud to ask for money, and then they steal, and it's really sad.’
Fleur Brown, the Chief Industry Affairs Officer of the Australian Retailers Association, has acknowledged a steady rise in retail crime, which has had a significant impact on retailers' financial performance.
This increased crime has affected their bottom line and poses challenges for the retail industry.
Furthermore, Australian households are facing the impact of rising inflation, leading to a substantial increase in grocery expenses.
On average, households now spend an additional $1,924 on groceries yearly.
This surge in costs has put financial strain on many individuals and families, with 78 per cent of Australians forced to cut back on their spending to cope with these challenges.
Shoplifting doesn’t just increase costs for retailers; we, the regular shoppers, end up with a heftier price tag on our groceries to cover the losses.
Members, if you require food relief of any kind, please do not hesitate to contact the Foodbank location in your state or territory. Listed below are their details:
LOCATIONS | DETAILS |
| Foodbank QLD | 179 Beverley St, Morningside QLD 4170, Australia +61 7 3395 8422 |
| Foodbank NSW & ACT | 50 Owen St, Glendenning NSW 2761, Australia +61 2 9756 3099 |
| Foodbank SA | 377 Cross Rd, Edwardstown SA 5039, Australia +61 8 8351 1136 |
| Foodbank VIC | 4/2 Somerville Rd, Yarraville VIC 3013, Australia +61 3 9362 8300 |
| Foodbank WA | 23 Abbott Rd, Perth Airport WA 6105, Australia +61 8 9258 9277 |
| Foodbank TAS | 4-8 Sunmont St, Derwent Park TAS 7173, Australia +61 3 6274 1052 |
You can also visit Ask Izzy, which can put you in touch with nearby organisations that provide food aid.
Share your unique tips and experiences with the rising supermarket prices. Let's lighten the load with our wisdom and camaraderie.
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