Retail Theft Forces Stores to Lock Up Merchandise, Frustrating Delivery Workers

In response to escalating retail theft, many stores have resorted to locking up essential items like toothpaste and underwear, leading to significant frustration among customers and delivery workers. According to a report by Business Insider, delivery personnel from services such as Instacart and Walmart’s Spark are increasingly avoiding these businesses due to the time-consuming process of obtaining unlocked merchandise. With tight deadlines to fulfill in-store orders, delivery workers find it impractical to wait for employee assistance to access locked items, fearing that delays could result in canceled orders and lost wages. Delivery workers have expressed their concerns about the impact of these security measures on their ability to complete orders efficiently. An Ohio-based Spark shopper highlighted the urgency of their work, stating that every second counts when fulfilling orders that include perishable items. Similarly, a Nevada-based Instacart shopper has opted to avoid a local Walgreens known for frequently locking up products, indicating a growing trend among delivery workers to steer clear of stores with stringent security measures. The rise in retail theft has been alarming, with losses reaching $121.6 billion in 2023 and projected to hit $150 billion by 2026, according to Capital One Shopping Research. The pandemic exacerbated the issue, with theft-related losses soaring from $61.7 billion in 2019 to $90.8 billion in 2020. Retailers like CVS and Walmart have implemented locking measures as a last resort to deter theft, emphasizing the need to keep products available for customers while managing security concerns.