Loss prevention in retail is a major challenge for retailers, especially in supermarkets, pharmacies and hardware stores . Knowing which products are most often targeted helps to refine security strategies and better protect stock.
🌂 1. Alcohol and spirits
Easy to conceal, compact and high in value, bottles of alcohol top the list of most stolen products. Their resale appeal makes them a recurring target.
🍼 2. Baby products
Infant formula, nappies and wipes are essential goods whose high demand makes them frequent targets for theft.
💋 3. Cosmetics and perfumes
Beauty products, particularly perfumes and high-end makeup, are often stolen due to their small size and high retail value.
💊 4. Over-the-counter medications
In pharmacies, painkillers, dietary supplements and other OTC products are common targets. Their small size makes them easy to steal discreetly.
🌟 5. Batteries and small electronics
Batteries, memory cards and phone accessories are among the most frequently stolen items, especially in hardware or convenience stores.
👔 6. Razors and blades
Despite being basic products, disposable razors and their refills are stolen frequently due to their high cost and compact size.
💰 7. Gift cards and prepaid vouchers
Taken before activation, these cards are sometimes stolen in large quantities to be resold or used fraudulently.
🥛 8. Packaged cheese and meat
In the food sector, these high value-added products are highly sought after, particularly for their resale potential and popularity.
🏋️ 9. Clothing and accessories
Clothing items, especially small accessories, sunglasses or caps, are often targeted on shelves.
🧬 10. Tools and DIY materials
In DIY stores, screwdrivers, drill bits and small tools are frequently stolen due to being easy to hide and resell.
🛡️ Stay ahead with behavioural detection
Rather than simply monitoring products, forward-thinking retailers are adopting solutions based on suspicious gesture analysis . By using artificial intelligence to identify risky behaviours in real time , it’s possible to prevent thefts without impacting the customer experience.
Technologies like those from Oxania offer accurate, non-intrusive detection tailored to every type of store, enabling store teams to respond quickly while creating a safer environment for everyone.
📆 In conclusion
Understanding which products are most prone to theft is an essential first step. But by combining this knowledge with intelligent AI tools, it becomes possible to reduce losses, boost profitability and protect brand image . Behavioural technology is now a powerful ally for the future of retail.
