In the grocery retail sector , losses linked to theft represent a real challenge for retailers. But which products are actually most sought-after by thieves? Identifying these items allows for more targeted prevention strategies — especially thanks to intelligent behavioural analytics .
🥩 Meat
Meat products, especially beef and vacuum-packed steaks, are often hidden in bags or under clothing. Their small size and high value make them a preferred target. Thieves focus on compact, easy-to-hide packs and target premium brands. Fresh food aisles are particularly vulnerable as they're less closely monitored.
🧀 Branded cheeses
Certain high-value cheeses, often found in self-service sections, are regularly stolen. They combine easy access with high value. Well-known brands or individually vacuum-packed portions are the main targets. Discreet packaging and strong demand make them especially attractive to thieves.
🥃 Spirits
Spirits, such as whisky or vodka, rank highly on the list. Bottles are compact and expensive, especially when not secured by anti-theft devices. Thieves often exploit weak spots in aisle surveillance. Reselling these spirits – privately or online – is a lucrative business. Some retailers use locked display cabinets to curb such thefts.
🍫 Premium chocolates & confectionery
High-end confectionery is also targeted, especially around holiday seasons. These products are sometimes stolen one by one, for immediate resale or personal consumption. Their position on prominent display or near checkouts makes them vulnerable. Branded chocolate assortments are often singled out.
🪒 Razor blades & small personal care items
Small, discreet and often expensive, these products are among the most frequently stolen. They’re sometimes resold on the black market. Some thieves target them systematically, especially in stores where these items are freely accessible. Their compactness makes multiple thefts in a single visit easier.
🥛 Baby formula
Baby formula is surprisingly popular among thieves due to high demand and expense. Certain organised groups specifically target this merchandise. These thefts can be large-scale, fuelling black market trade.
💄 Cosmetics & personal care products
Creams, make-up, or hair care items – especially well-known brands – are among the most stolen in cosmetics aisles. These products are chosen for their value and how easily they can be concealed. They’re often resold on black markets, online or between individuals. Thefts are made easier as these aisles rarely have top-notch security systems.
🤖 Artificial intelligence for prevention
Given these trends, retailers are adopting innovative solutions to prevent suspicious behaviours from the outset. Gesture analysis systems are becoming a proactive and non-intrusive answer, able to detect unusual movements around these at-risk products.
Thanks to AI, staff can now be alerted whenever a gesture suggests a concealment attempt or abnormal behaviour. This enables quick, appropriate intervention without causing tension in store.
Oxania , a specialist in intelligent detection, supports grocery retailers in the move towards smarter security which respects the customer experience and focuses on reducing losses.
🎯 Better loss management for sustainable performance
Identifying the most stolen items is just the first step. It's the combined use of data, technology and people that enables effective action.
Retailers who implement intelligent detection solutions gain better visibility over risk areas , while optimising their customer experience through smoother and less intrusive surveillance.
By integrating these technologies, supermarket retail is entering a new era where prevention becomes proactive, intelligent and results-driven .
