In the grocery retail sector , losses due to theft pose a real challenge for retailers. But what are the products most sought after by thieves? Identifying these items helps implement more targeted prevention strategies — especially with intelligent behavioral analytics technologies.
🥩 Meat
Meat products, especially beef or vacuum-packed steaks, are often hidden in bags or under clothing. Their small size and high value make them a top target. Thieves focus on compact packages that are easy to conceal, aiming for premium brands. Fresh food aisles are especially vulnerable as they are less supervised.
🧀 Brand-name Cheeses
Some high-value cheeses, often placed in self-service aisles, are regularly stolen. They combine easy access with high value. Well-known brands or individually vacuum-packed portions are most targeted. Their discreet packaging and strong demand make them particularly attractive to thieves.
🥃 Spirits
Spirits, such as whiskey or vodka, rank high on the list. Bottles are compact and expensive, especially when not protected by anti-theft devices. Thieves often act by spotting gaps in aisle surveillance. The resale of these spirits in private circles or online is a lucrative business. Some stores use locked showcases to help limit these thefts.
🍫 Premium Chocolates and Sweets
High-end sweet products also attract theft, especially when offered during the holiday season. These items are sometimes stolen individually, often for resale or immediate consumption. Their placement at aisle ends or near checkouts makes them vulnerable. Branded chocolate assortments are particularly targeted.
🪒 Razor Blades and Small Personal Care Items
Small, discreet, and often expensive, these products are among the most commonly stolen. They are sometimes resold through black markets. Some thieves target them in series, especially in stores where these items are self-serve. Their compactness makes it easy to steal multiple at once.
🥛 Infant Formula
Baby formula is surprisingly sought after by thieves, mainly due to its high demand and price. Some organized groups specifically target this type of product. Thefts can reach significant quantities, fueling a real trafficking market.
💄 Cosmetics and Personal Care Products
Creams, makeup, or hair care products, especially well-known brands, are among the most stolen items in cosmetics aisles. These products are targeted for their value and how easily they can be hidden. They are often resold on secondary markets, online, or peer-to-peer. Theft is made easier as these aisles are rarely equipped with effective security systems.
🤖 Artificial Intelligence for Prevention
Faced with these trends, retailers are adopting innovative solutions to prevent suspicious behavior as soon as it appears. Gesture analysis systems have emerged as a proactive and non-intrusive response, capable of detecting unusual movements around these high-risk products.
With AI, it is now possible to alert staff when a movement suggests an attempt to hide an item or abnormal behavior. This allows for quick and appropriate intervention without creating tension in the store.
Oxania , a specialist in intelligent detection, supports grocery retailers in this transition toward smarter security, respectful of the customer experience and focused on loss reduction.
🎯 Better Loss Control for Sustainable Performance
Identifying the most stolen items is the first step. But it is the combined use of data, technology, and people that enables effective action.
Stores that integrate intelligent detection solutions benefit from better visibility over high-risk areas , while also optimizing their customer experience through smoother and less intrusive surveillance.
With these technologies, grocery retail is entering a new era where prevention becomes proactive, intelligent, and results-driven .
