POPULAR grocery store chain Harris Teeter is ramping up security measures in a desperate bid to combat theft.
From yesterday – April 24 – all shoppers at the supermarket’s Washington DC locations must present their receipts before leaving the store.
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Customers will also be banned from bringing large bags such as suitcases, duffel bags, and roller bags into the stores.
“Harris Teeter is committed to providing the highest quality, freshest products to all customers in the communities we serve,” the company said in a statement.
“Ensuring a safe shopping environment for both our customers and our valued associates is critical.
“Effective April 24, we will implement improved safety measures at stores in District of Columbia, including the checking of receipts as customers exit the store and a new policy prohibiting suitcases, duffel bags, oversized backpacks and roller bags.
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“These measures will help us maintain a safe shopping experience and continue providing the best service and goods at competitive prices to our customers. We thank our valued associates and customers for their cooperation and patience.”
Joy Plater has worked across the street from Harris Teeter for two decades.
She told local CBS affiliate WUSA-TV that crime is worsening year on year, despite government buildings and new apartments popping up.
“I was here earlier this morning,” Plater said.
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“I saw someone drank a drink and put it back.
“I don’t think it’s going to do anything. It’s scary. Crime in the area is scary.
“We had that shooting last month. Coming to work everything was blocked off and we couldn’t get to work.”
Many customers feel the new security measures are a good initiative but such high levels of crime call for a more aggressive approach.
“I don’t go out at night. I don’t go to gas stations, I’m scared to drive my vehicle. Things have changed over the years from my perspective,” said Plater.
The DC locations have signs at the front informing shoppers of the new policies.
Harris Teeter has 258 stores primarily located in the southeast US, with locations in South Carolina, Virginia, Delaware, Tennessee, and more.
FIGHTING CRIME
Harris Teeter isn’t the only store in the area working to deter crime.
Safeway installed security gates at several DC store locations to prevent shoplifters.
The gates only open once shoppers scan the barcode on their receipts.
Other stores across the US, including big box retailer Walmart, have similarly taken measures to cut back on theft.
Walmart has completely ditched self-checkout in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Cleveland, Ohio, and St. Louis, Missouri stores.
The checkout change is attributed to feedback and local shopping patterns, according to Walmart spokesperson Brian Little.
“The decision was based on several factors, including feedback from associates and customers, shopping patterns and business needs in this area,” said Little, per Business Insider.
Latest self-checkout changes
Retailers are evolving their self-checkout strategy in an effort to speed up checkout times and reduce theft.
Walmart shoppers were shocked when self-checkout lanes at various locations were made available only for Walmart+ members.
Other customers reported that self-checkout was closed during specific hours, and more cashiers were offered instead.
While shoppers feared that shoplifting fueled the updates, a Walmart spokesperson revealed that store managers are simply experimenting with ways to improve checkout performance.
One bizarre experiment included an RFID-powered self-checkout kiosk that would stop the fiercely contested receipt checks.
However, that test run has been phased out.
At Target, items are being limited at self-checkout.
Last fall, the brand surveyed new express self-checkout lanes across 200 stores with 10 items or less for more convenience.
As of March 2024, this policy has been expanded across 2,000 stores in the US.
“We believe the change will improve the in-store shopping experience and give our associates the chance to provide more personalized and efficient service.”
However, many shoppers suspect high theft rates caused the self-checkout change.
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“Make no mistake it is a financial decision…too many people not scanning everything in their carts…figured out it is cheaper to pay a cashier than take the loss on all the inventory people forget to scan,” speculated one shopper on Facebook.
Past Walmart anti-theft initiatives include locking up essential items, conducting receipt checks, and limiting who can use self-checkout.
https://www.the-sun.com/news/11190615/harris-teeter-immediately-show-receipts-washington-dc/