In a bold move to combat rising retail crime, supermarket giant Tesco has begun replacing actual bottles of spirits like Malibu with empty cardboard display boxes on its shelves. The new security measure forces customers to bring the dummy packaging to the counter, where staff must then retrieve the genuine product from a locked stockroom.
How the New Anti-Theft System Works
The strategy was recently observed at a Tesco Express on Gloucester Road in South Kensington, west London. Here, bottles of Malibu, priced at £12.50 for 70cl, and Bombay Sapphire gin, costing £19, were represented by hollow boxes. This allows shoppers to see the product range while preventing the quick theft of these high-value, frequently targeted items.
Traditional security tags have proven insufficient, with experienced thieves often ripping them off and leaving them hidden on shelves. By keeping the real stock in secure storage, Tesco aims to directly prevent these losses.
Shopper Frustration and Longer Wait Times
While designed to deter theft, the initiative has sparked complaints from customers about increased inconvenience. One shopper reported to the NeedToKnow news agency that it took ten minutes for a staff member to fetch a real bottle from the back.
This has led to longer queues, especially during busy periods when staff are already stretched thin. Another customer, named Sue, summed up the frustration by calling the situation "ridiculous how bad it's gotten." Her comment reflects a broader consumer concern about how pervasive shoplifting is altering the everyday shopping experience.
A Growing Trend on the High Street
Dan, a former supermarket worker, confirmed the limitations of old security methods, noting he frequently found discarded alarm tags during his time at Morrisons. As retailers across the UK grapple with increasing levels of retail crime, the use of dummy packaging and keeping even relatively low-cost alcohol "behind the counter" is becoming a more common sight.
Tesco has been approached for an official comment on the wider rollout of this policy. The move underscores the significant steps major retailers are now taking to protect their stock, even if it impacts the convenience once taken for granted by the British public.
