Loss prevention in retail is a major challenge for distributors, especially in the grocery, pharmacy, and hardware sectors. Knowing which products are most targeted by theft enables stores to adjust their security strategies and better protect their stock.
🌂 Alcohol and Spirits
Easy to hide, small in size, and high in value, bottles of alcohol top the list of most stolen products. Their attractiveness for resale makes them a recurring target. Thieves often act in groups, targeting premium brands like whiskey, vodka, or champagne. Resale can take place through underground channels, especially online or at markets. This type of theft represents a significant financial loss for retailers, especially during holiday periods.
🍼 Baby Products
Infant formula, diapers, and wipes are necessities that, due to high demand, are frequently stolen. Their high cost and constant replenishment make them a preferred target for resale. Some thieves sell them at lower prices, taking advantage of economic pressure on families. The theft of these items is often linked to precarious situations.
💋 Cosmetics and Perfumes
Beauty items, notably high-end perfumes and makeup, are often stolen because they're compact and have a high retail value. These products attract both impulse thieves and organized gangs, often to supply online resale platforms. Major brands are particularly targeted due to high demand. Some thieves even use lined bags to evade security gates.
💊 Over-the-Counter Medications
In pharmacies, painkillers, nutritional supplements, and other OTC products are common targets. Their small size makes them easy to steal. Some medications can be misused, making them even more attractive. In addition, their sometimes high price motivates theft for under-the-table resale or personal use. Pharmacies must therefore balance prevention and surveillance without hindering accessibility.
🌟 Batteries and Small Electronics
Batteries, memory cards, and phone accessories are among the most stolen objects, especially in hardware or convenience stores. Their compactness and high unit value make them easy to steal and resell. They are often sought after due to strong demand. Thefts sometimes occur in series, targeting entire aisles in areas with little supervision.
👔 Razors and Blades
Despite being basic items, disposable razors and refills are often stolen due to their high price and compact format. Their discreet packaging allows for easy concealment. Many thieves target them for personal use, but also for resale online or at markets. These items represent a high replacement cost for stores, which must increase protection with security boxes.
💰 Gift Cards and Prepaid Vouchers
Taken before activation, these cards are sometimes stolen in large quantities, usually for fraudulent use or resale. Their slim format makes theft easy at checkout or in aisles near exits.
🥛 Cheese and Packaged Meats
In the food sector, these high value-added products are very popular targets because of their popularity. Food theft is often driven by immediate needs, but can also be organized on a large scale.
🏋️ Clothing and Accessories
Clothing items, especially small accessories like sunglasses or hats, are often targeted in-store. Trendy brands are especially targeted for resale on second-hand platforms. Some thieves go on store rounds to gather stock for resale purposes.
🧬 Tools and DIY Materials
In DIY stores, screwdrivers, drill bits, and small tools are frequently stolen because they are easy to hide and resell. Constant demand, especially among professionals and hobbyists, makes them a lucrative target. Stores must reinforce the surveillance of technical aisles and restrict access to certain products.
🛡️ Anticipating with Behavioral Detection
Rather than just monitoring the products, innovative retailers are turning to solutions based on suspicious gesture analysis . By using artificial intelligence to identify risky behaviors in real time , it becomes possible to prevent theft without disrupting the customer experience.
Technologies like Oxania’s offer precise, non-intrusive detection tailored to every store type, allowing store teams to react quickly while creating a safer environment for everyone.
📆 In Conclusion
Understanding which products are most at risk of theft is an essential first step. But it's by pairing this knowledge with smart AI tools that it's possible to reduce losses, improve profitability, and protect brand image . Behavioral technology is now a powerful ally for the commerce of tomorrow.
