Shrinkage: A Constant Challenge for Supermarkets 🛒
Shrinkage represents the difference between the theoretical stock recorded in IT systems and the physical stock actually present on shelves. This performance indicator is crucial as it directly impacts stores' profit margins. While several factors can contribute to it, shoplifting remains the primary cause, constituting a significant and persistent financial loss for the entire retail sector.
To effectively counter this issue, the fundamental first step is to accurately identify the most frequently targeted products. This in-depth knowledge not only enables the implementation of targeted prevention strategies to reduce losses but also optimises overall in-store operations. By understanding the "hot spots," it becomes possible to improve stock management and deploy security personnel more judiciously and effectively.
Pharmacy and Hygiene Products: Small, Pricey, and Easy to Conceal 💄
Among the most sought-after items, three categories stand out due to their high value and small size, which greatly facilitates their concealment. Hygiene and pharmacy aisles are particularly sensitive areas.
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Cosmetics 💅
Lipsticks, mascaras, and foundations are prime targets due to their compact size and high resale value .
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Razor Blades 🪒
Refills from major brands, in particular, represent a significant cost for consumers and are in high demand, making them a recurring target for thieves.
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Batteries 🔋
Universal, essential, and relatively expensive, they are very easy to pocket without arousing suspicion.
The main challenge for these aisles lies in the difficulty of monitoring quick and discreet gestures, often performed in busy aisles where staff attention is diluted.
Focus on Fresh Produce Aisles: Meat and Cheese Top the List 🥩
Although bulkier, some fresh produce items are also highly vulnerable to theft due to their high price . Two product families particularly stand out:
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Meat 🍖
Premium cuts of beef, such as fillet, ribeye, or sirloin, are among the most stolen items. Their market value makes them a prime target.
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Cheese 🧀
Specialty cheeses or pre-cut portions of large wheels also represent high value and are regularly pilfered.
The theft techniques here are specific. "Ticket switching," which involves replacing the price label of an expensive product with that of a cheap item, is a common practice. The impact is then twofold for the store: the direct financial loss of the product and the increased complexity of stock management for perishable goods .
Alcohol and Baby Products: Prime Targets with Diverse Motivations 🍼
Two other high-risk product categories illustrate the diversity of motivations behind shoplifting.
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Alcohol and Spirits 🍾
Bottles of whisky, vodka, or champagne are high-value items, often stolen for resale on parallel markets or for personal consumption. Their popularity makes them a constant target.
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Baby Formula 🍼
Due to its high cost and essential nature, this item is unfortunately a frequent target, whether out of necessity or to supply a resale network.
Even when these products are equipped with traditional anti-theft devices, these are not foolproof. Complementary human and technological surveillance remains essential to effectively protect these sensitive aisles.
How AI Transforms Real-Time Theft Prevention 🤖
Faced with increasingly sophisticated theft tactics, intelligent video surveillance is emerging as a proactive and remarkably effective solution . Instead of simply recording images for post-incident analysis, modern systems analyse live video feeds. Innovative solutions like Oxania leverage artificial intelligence to go further: they are capable of automatically detecting suspicious gestures , such as concealing a product in a bag, tearing packaging, or abnormally long behaviour in an aisle.
The operational advantage is immense and transforms security into a preventive approach.
- ✅ Receive alerts in real-time directly on a mobile device, allowing for immediate intervention.
- ✅ Enable preventive action , such as approaching the suspected customer to offer assistance, a commercial gesture often sufficient to deter.
- ✅ Transition from reactive security (noting the loss) to a proactive strategy that protects margins and improves the environment for honest customers.
