Loss prevention in stores is a major challenge for retailers, particularly in the mass retail, pharmacy, and DIY sectors . Knowing the products most targeted by theft allows security strategies to be adjusted and inventory to be better protected.
🌂 Alcohol and Spirits
Easy to conceal, small in size, and high in value, bottles of alcohol top the list of most stolen products. Their appeal for resale makes them a recurring target. Thieves often act in groups, targeting premium brands like whiskeys, vodkas, or champagnes. Resale can occur through parallel channels, including online or in markets. This type of theft represents a significant financial loss for retailers, especially during holiday seasons.
🍼 Baby Products
Infant formula, diapers, and wipes are essential products whose high demand makes them frequent victims of theft. Their high cost and constant replenishment make them a prime target for resale. Some thieves resell them at a discount, taking advantage of economic pressure on families. The theft of these items is often linked to situations of precarity.
💋 Cosmetics and Perfumes
Beauty items, particularly high-end perfumes and makeup, are often stolen due to their small size and high market value. These products attract both casual thieves and organized groups, often to supply online resale platforms. Major brands are particularly targeted due to their high demand. Some thieves even use lined bags to bypass security gates.
💊 Over-the-counter Medications
In pharmacies, painkillers, dietary supplements, and other OTC products are common targets. Their small size facilitates theft. Some medications can be diverted from their original use, making them even more attractive. Furthermore, their sometimes high price motivates theft for resale under the counter or for personal consumption. Pharmacies must therefore combine prevention and surveillance without hindering accessibility.
🌟 Batteries and Small Electronics
Batteries, memory cards, and phone accessories are among the most stolen items, particularly in DIY or convenience stores. Their compactness and high unit value make them easy to steal and sell. They are often sought after due to high demand. Thefts are sometimes carried out in series, targeting entire aisles in poorly supervised areas.
👔 Razors and Blades
Despite their basic nature, disposable razors and their 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 online or market resale. These items represent a high replacement cost for stores that must enhance their protection with anti-theft cases.
💰 Gift Cards and Prepaid Vouchers
Taken before activation, these cards are sometimes stolen in bulk, notably to be resold or used fraudulently. Their very thin format facilitates theft at the checkout or on shelves near exits.
🥛 Cheese and Packaged Meats
In the food sector, these high-value-added products are very popular, notably due to their popularity. Food theft is often motivated by immediate needs, but can also be organized on a large scale.
🏋️ Clothing and Accessories
Clothing items, particularly small accessories, sunglasses, or caps, are often targeted on the shelves. Trendy brands are particularly aimed at for resale on second-hand platforms. Some thieves organize store tours to accumulate stock for resale.
🧬 DIY Tools and Materials
In DIY stores, screwdrivers, drill bits, and small equipment are frequently stolen because they are easy to hide and resell. Their constant demand, particularly among professionals or Sunday DIYers, makes them a profitable target. Stores must strengthen surveillance of technical aisles and restrict access to certain products.
🛡️ Anticipate through Behavioral Detection
Instead of merely monitoring products, innovative retailers are adopting solutions based on suspicious gesture analysis . By using artificial intelligence to identify risky behaviors in real time , it is possible to prevent theft without negatively impacting the customer experience.
Technologies like those from Oxania offer precise, non-intrusive detection tailored to each type of store, allowing in-store teams to react quickly while creating a safer environment for everyone.
📆 In Conclusion
Understanding the products most exposed to theft is an essential first step. But it is by combining this knowledge with intelligent AI tools that it becomes possible to reduce losses, improve profitability, and protect brand image . Behavioral technology is today a significant ally for the retail of tomorrow.
