SHOPPERS have slammed a grocery store as it unveiled its latest anti-theft measure, sparking major safety concerns.
Atlantic Superstore in Canada sparked a major controversy after putting up plexiglass barriers around the perimeter of the store.
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“Was that really necessary?” a customer asked after leaving the Halifax store, according to Global News.
Experts believe this was a tone-deaf move for the company.
“All I see right now is an industry that’s protecting itself without really trying to understand the client’s experience,” said Sylvain Charlebois, the director of Dalhousie University Agri-Food Analytics Lab.
He argued that it would have been better for Atlantic Superstore to quantify how much it was losing due to the issue.
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“They’ve never actually said, ‘This is how much money we’re losing due to loss prevention or due to theft,’” he said
Other customers have been concerned about how the plexiglass impacts fire safety.
Shortly after debuting the anti-theft measure, Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency was notified about the concerns.
“We’ve had our inspectors reach out to Superstore to confirm specifications on the plexiglass that has been installed to ensure they’re acceptable for flame-spread rating and smoke development rating,” acting division chief of fire prevention Larry Varin said.
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Despite customer issues, a spokesperson for the company doubled down on the grocery store’s decision saying, “organized crime is a real problem” that affects “safety, security, and wellbeing.”
“Using plexiglass partitions is a proven, industry-wide way to prevent theft and keep a positive, open-concept-style customer experience,” the statement continues.
“We’ve used them in locations across Canada for a number of years, and we’re rolling them out in various Loblaw-owned stores in Atlantic Canada. They are fully compliant with all safety and regulatory plans.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Atlantic Superstore for comment.
‘I HAVE NEVER STOLEN A THING’
Anti-theft measures have not only effected shoplifters, but everyday people.
A woman revealed that while shopping at her local grocery store, her cart unexpectedly locked up.
All I see right now is an industry that’s protecting itself without really trying to understand the client’s experience,”
Sylvain Charlebois
Grocery stores have been investing in these carts to stop shoplifters from leaving the store.
However, the customer had not stolen anything but still was prompted to show her receipt.
“I called the customer service and I explained my experience,” she told CTV Atlantic.
“Why would the gentleman ask for my receipt? He said, well, we’ve been having a lot of theft.”
“And I said ‘I’m going to stop you right there.’
“I have shopped here for many, many, many years. I’m 56 years old. I have never stolen a thing in my life,'” she said.
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The woman was insulted that she could even be considered a potential thief.
She revealed that this experience could lead to her shopping elsewhere.