‘It’s wild,’ says CVS shopper over policy forcing shoppers to push multiple buttons – and cheap items locked ‘like gold’
SHOPPERS are convinced that working in stores like CVS must be the worst job after anti-theft policies have appeared to increase employees’ workload.
Retail theft has cost businesses across the country hundreds of billions of dollars on an annual basis, forcing companies to adopt a variety of measures to stop shoplifting.
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These measures have come under fire from customers, many of whom claim it makes the shopping experience more difficult.
One CVS customer recently aired out his frustrations on Facebook, claiming that working for the retailer must be “the s**tiest job” in the US.
“Standing in line at CVS, working here is officially the sh**tiest job in America,” the shopper, Joseph Coker, said.
“Intercom announcing every 30 seconds where a customer ‘needs assistance’ because they have any item over 10 dollars locked up like it’s gold. Pathetic.”
Another shopper responded to the post, claiming the store is forcing shoppers to push several buttons in order to collect items.
The customer pointed to the anti-theft measure of locking products on shelves.
Instead of allowing shoppers to grab any item they desire before paying, many customers will now find products locked behind plexiglass on shelves.
This forces customers to get the assistance of an employee who can unlock the shelf or cabinet.
“My god, they have started locking up EVERYTHING down here too,” the shopper responded.
“It’s wild how many buttons you have to push to get shit now. Some stores deodorant is locked up, ‘the homeless are stealing it’ God forbid they smell decent.”
Coker replied to the comment, accusing CVS and other businesses of treating shoppers like elementary school students.
“Yeah like what does it say about our society that stores are treating us like an elementary school snack station that they gotta keep behind the closed door,” he wrote.
Major retailers like CVS and Walmart have defended the use of these anti-theft measures.
In addition to locking products, these businesses have resorted to asking customers if they can check their receipts and bags to make sure all items were properly scanned.
Other stores have increased physical security cameras or employee presence.
Anti-theft measures rolled out by retailers
Retailers across the US and Canada have rolled out strategies designed to combat theft. The U.S. Sun has compiled a list of measures that have been implemented at stores.
- Locking items in cabinets.
- Security pegs.
- Security cameras.
- Signs warning about the impact of theft.
- Receipt scanners.
- Receipt checks.
- Carts with locking technology
Across the board, major retailers have said the use of these measures is to curb theft and keep products available for customers.
“Different products experience different theft rates, depending on store location and other factors, and our product protection decisions are data-driven,” CVS previously told The U.S. Sun.
“We utilize a variety of different measures to deter or prevent theft and locking a product is a measure of last resort.”
Despite the criticisms, these measures don’t appear to be going away anytime soon.
In November 2023, WSL Strategic Retail found that around 70% of consumers in the US have encountered items they wished to purchase locked up.
CVS did not respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for additional comment.
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