Tesco to increase store security as “desperate people” turn to shoplifting

Cost-of-living crises leads to the increase of shoplifting

Chairman John Allan said shoppers will see extra security tags on food as well as an increased security presence in-store.

“I think shoplifting is a concern and getting the police to take action and respond to cases where we and other retailers – and this is a concern right across the retail trade – is an issue,” he said. “I don’t sympathise with people who shoplift but I can understand desperate people taking desperate measures sometimes when they’ve literally got no money left.”

According to Allan, three quarters of Tesco’s customers are concerned about inflation. He added that this figure increases every month, with customers now having to deal with with inflation, but future costs on energy bills.

Retail Gazette