US EditionChocolate kept in anti-theft boxes as retailers warn it's being stolen to order
Retailers report chocolate theft costing up to £250,000 annually with bars locked in plastic boxes to deter organized resale networks funding wider crime.
- In recent months, UK retailers including Sainsbury's, Tesco, and Co‑Op have started locking chocolate bars in transparent boxes to prevent thefts, with staff unlocking upon request.
- Retailers say the thefts are motivated by organised shoplifters stealing to order, with stolen confectionery sold through illicit resale networks that fund wider criminal activity, the Association of Convenience Stores reports.
- Shopkeepers describe losses such as 200-300 a week, with shoplifters commonly taking around 200-250 of chocolate in one theft, including arrests for items like Cadbury's Crème Eggs.
- The Association of Convenience Stores is urging more police support and stronger sentences, highlighting government plans to scrap the £200 threshold for lesser offences.
- Recent months have seen police and retailers note a 5% increase in shop theft, with the British Retail Consortium reporting 5.5 million detected incidents last year, and stores ramping up security.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Surprising reason UK shops are locking up their chocolate
Some major UK stores are locking their chocolate in plastic cases as a national body reports shoplifting is on the rise.The UK Association of Convenience Stores said retail crime was a "serious and growing issue"."According to ACS' latest crime insights, the top three most commonly stolen items in convenience retail are: alcohol, confectionery, (and) meat," the body wrote on X.READ MORE: Louvre director resigns over infamous crown jewels heist…
Sainsbury’s lock chocolate bars in plastic boxes amid escalating shoplifting fears
Major UK supermarket chains have begun placing chocolate bars inside plastic security boxes as retailers and law enforcement warn that confectionery is increasingly being stolen to order by organised criminals.Sainsbury's confirmed it now uses "boxes on products which are regularly targeted," with Cadbury Dairy Milk bars priced at £2.60 secured behind plastic casings at a London store.Tesco and Co-Op have similarly introduced transparent securit…
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