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This sticker immediately catches the eye: It says “Secure item”. Reader reporters have noticed more and more yellow warning labels on products lately. For example, in the Lidl flagship branch in the former Fraumünsterpost in Zurich. Customers can now see anti-theft labels specifically on the front of refrigerated shelves.
As Lidl said when asked, it is declaring war on discounter theft gangs. After successful pilot testing, the discounter uses these special tags to reduce the number of thefts. The first news about the new security was reported by the suburban newspaper “20 Minutes”.
The discount store, based in Weinfelden TG, recorded an increase in shoplifting last year. A year ago Lidl began pilot testing electronic item surveillance using stickers. “We are using this security system exclusively in our business operations until further notice,” Lidl explains to Blick.
Various products affected
Especially expensive products such as meat, alcoholic beverages and non-food items often disappear from customers’ pockets without paying money. At the Lidl branch on Fraumünsterstrasse in Zurich, the stickers are often found on meat, fish and household goods, as seen in pictures from reader reporters. The discounter does not want to disclose which product is secured in which branch. Understandable.
How do tags work? Anyone trying to smuggle safe products will be stopped by security facilities in the payment area. These sound a shrill alarm. “Theft-proof items are automatically unlocked during the normal checkout process at checkout,” Lidl explains. This means there is no additional work at the cash register. And the products will not trigger the alarm in another store.
What about competition?
Other retailers in Switzerland are also currently reviewing security measures. Aldi Suisse also uses anti-theft labels when necessary. But the people at the discounter aren’t too keen on telling stories. “We thank you for your understanding that we do not comment in detail on security-related matters,” the media office writes in response to the request.
Theft tags are not currently available at Denner. The strongest security measures in Migros subsidiaries are usually wearing a red jacket and having two eyes trained. Denner: “The best protection against theft is our careful employees.”
Source :Blick
I’m Tim David and I work as an author for 24 Instant News, covering the Market section. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, my mission is to provide accurate, timely and insightful news coverage that helps our readers stay informed about the latest trends in the market. My writing style is focused on making complex economic topics easy to understand for everyone.
