Coles has introduced another new security measure to fight back against theft in its stores, this time focusing on meat products.
The supermarket giant has added security tags to higher-priced meat products, including premium beef eye fillets and porterhouse steak, trialling the new measure in 10 stores in Victoria.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Security tags on meat products.
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One of the stores where the new measure is being trialled at in Balaclava in Melbourne’s southeast.
Coles said while most of its customers do the right thing, the new measure is targeting those who don’t.
“The safety of our team members and customers is our top priority, and we have a range of security measures in place to reduce theft from our stores including security personnel and surveillance technologies such as CCTV,” Coles said.
“We are always reassessing and trying new security measures, and are keen to hear local feedback on the trial.”
The tags are removed during the checkout process.
Last year, Coles announced it would be introducing “smart gate technology” in selected stores in a bid to deter thieves.
The double gates open automatically after shoppers have paid for their items, and creates a barrier for those who haven’t.
It also introduced new technology that “locks” the wheels of trolleys when sensors suspect that groceries have not been paid for.
According to the latest data from the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA), for the year ending in September 2023, retail theft offences in Victoria were up by 40 per cent.
At the time the figures were released late last year, CSA Chief Statistician Fiona Dowsley said the data was in line with cost-of-living pressures.