No Frills store’s decision to lock up cheese speaks to broader societal issues, says economics professor | CBC News

An economics professor with Sudbury’s Laurentian University says a grocery store chain’s choice to lock up certain cheeses and instructing customers to ask a cashier for assistance is an indication of a broader problem.

Louis-Philippe Rochon says the issue points to a much bigger societal issue than simply trying to deter theft.

The signage, spotted at a Vancouver No Frills store owned by Loblaw, shows the locked up 250g wedges of President’s Choice Splendido Parmigiano-Reggiano and President’s Choice Splendido Grana Padano, priced at $9.99 each. 

“Undoubtedly, supermarkets are trying to protect themselves. Some Loblaws force you to show your receipt as you leave the store…. Cheese is small, light items, easy to grab and go,” said Rochon, explaining why he believes the franchise decided to lock up the dairy product.

A spokesperson for Loblaw Companies Ltd. confirmed the company is taking measures to safeguard its merchandise from shoplifters.

Retail theft up, says Walmart

Felicia Fefer, manager of Corporate Affairs at Walmart Canada, says the company employs various measures to manage and prevent theft, including stopping locks on peg hooks and locking showcases for certain high-theft items. However, Fefer says the company generally does not lock up food and grocery items.

Fefer also pointed out that retail crime is currently higher than in the past, both at Walmart Canada and across the retail industry as a whole.

“We want to reduce theft as much as possible in order to keep our everyday low prices as we continue to help Canadians save money and live better,” Fefer said.

“As much as that is a problem for the supermarkets, I think it points to a bigger issue in society, which is the fact that the prices of groceries have gone up by 10 per cent on average or more…. People can’t afford to eat…. People have to resort to stealing to feed their families,” said Rochon.

The Greater Sudbury Police Service does not have specific numbers on people stealing from grocery stores but notes an overall rise in reported thefts over the past five years. Sarah Kaelas, a spokesperson with the police service, reports the number of thefts under $5,000 was 609 in 2019, but that figure rose to 834 last year.

‘Deep inequalities and food insecurity’

However, Rochon believes the focus should be on the root causes of these crimes rather than on the acts themselves.

“This is a reflection of deep inequalities and food insecurity. We should not concentrate on shoplifting and theft. These are symptoms. What we should be concentrating on is what causes those.”

He believes rising production costs and supermarkets’ reactions are exacerbating the problem. 

“Supermarkets have increased the price of the goods in order to compensate. But there’s also a little bit of greed going on in the supermarkets. The packages have gotten much smaller,” said Rochon.

Rochon suggests the government should consider price controls to address these challenges. He says it is easier for the government to introduce such a policy now than it was 30 years ago.

“A couple of years ago, Loblaws froze prices on a number of their products. All these products are just computer entries,” said Rochon.

He urges the government to “think outside the box” and is organizing a seminar with the United Nations to discuss systemic issues related to market prices.

The workshop is scheduled for Oct. 31, 2024, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

“At one point, we have to wonder if existing solutions are causing a lot of harm, maybe it’s time to look at other solutions,” Rochon said.