Loss prevention in stores is a major challenge for retailers, especially in the grocery, pharmacy, and DIY sectors . Knowing which products are most targeted for theft allows security strategies to be adjusted and stock to be better protected.
🌂 Alcohol and Spirits
Easy to conceal, small, and high value, bottles of alcohol top the list of most stolen products. Their appeal for resale makes them a frequent target. Thieves often act in groups, targeting premium brands such as whisky, vodka, or champagne. Resale can happen through parallel 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 essentials with high demand, which makes them frequent targets for theft. Their high price and constant turnover make them a prime target for resale. Some thieves sell them at a reduced price, taking advantage of economic pressure on families. Theft of these items is often linked to situations of hardship.
💋 Cosmetics and Perfumes
Beauty items, notably high-end perfumes and makeup, are often stolen due to their small size and high market value. These products attract both opportunistic thieves and organized groups, often to supply resale platforms online. Big brands are especially targeted due to high demand. Some thieves even use lined bags to evade security gates.
💊 Over-the-counter medications
In pharmacies, painkillers, supplements, and other OTC products are common targets. Their small size makes them easy to steal. Some medicines can be diverted from their intended use, making them even more attractive. In addition, their sometimes high price motivates theft for under-the-counter resale or personal use. 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, especially 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 strong demand. Thefts are sometimes carried out in series, targeting entire aisles in poorly monitored areas.
👔 Razors and Blades
Despite being basic items, 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 these for personal use, but also for resale online or at markets. These items represent a high replacement cost for stores, which must step up their protection with anti-theft cases.
💰 Gift Cards and Prepaid Vouchers
Taken before activation, these cards are sometimes stolen in large numbers, mainly to be resold or used fraudulently. Their very slim format makes them easy to steal at checkout or in aisles near the exits.
🥛 Packaged Cheese and Meats
In the food sector, these high-value-added products are in high demand, especially because of their popularity. Food theft is often driven by immediate need but can also be organized on a larger scale.
🏋️ Clothing and Accessories
Apparel items, especially small accessories, sunglasses, or caps, are often targeted on the shelves. Trendy brands are particularly sought after 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 sell. Their constant demand, especially from professionals or hobbyists, makes them a profitable target. Stores must increase surveillance in technical aisles and restrict access to certain products.
🛡️ Anticipating with Behavioral Detection
Rather than just monitoring products, innovative retailers are adopting solutions based on the analysis of suspicious movements . By using artificial intelligence to identify high-risk behaviors in real time , it is possible to prevent theft without harming customer experience.
Technologies such as Oxania’s offer precise, non-intrusive detection tailored to each store type, allowing in-store teams to react quickly while creating a safer environment for everyone.
📆 In Conclusion
Understanding which products are 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 powerful ally for the commerce of tomorrow.
