A SHOPPER has been left stunned after being confronted by a new anti-theft measure employed by a major retailer.
It comes as the retail industry as a whole aims to tackle billions of dollars of losses each year as a result of theft.
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However, some of the changes being brought in are leaving shoppers feeling unwelcome, frustrated, and untrusted.
One such anti-theft measure has recently been seen in Logan Circle in Washington DC.
"It appears CVS has installed some sort of police robot with blue flashing beacons and cameras above the entrance to their store at 1418 P St NW in Logan Circle," a shopper told Popville.
The shopper added that the device has a "spotlight and a large bullhorn" as they questioned if it is owned by the police or the retailer.
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Another shopper shared her experience of the so-called robot, sharing an image of the device that looks like an elaborate surveillance camera with a speaker set up next to it.
'UNAMERICAN'
"New DC experience: I’m standing outside a CVS in Dupont Circle, waiting for a ride," X user @emilyrauhala explained in a post.
"The surveillance machine above me just came alive to tell me not to loiter.
"Spent 5 years in mainland China and this is a new one for me."
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"It said something about valuing customers first but def a robo voice," she added in the comments when asked if the voice was "cheery or more RoboCop."
Fellow X users slammed the measure with one calling it "appalling and un-American."
CEO breaks silence on locked up items as customers rage - and reveals reason behind extreme security measures
"Don't worry. In about a year, it will use AI along with facial recognition and will tell you to move using your name," one user replied.
"Why is it always a CVS?" another asked as they fumed about another unpopular anti-theft measure used by the retailer that sees numerous items placed under lock and key.
"My CVS treats customers like potential criminals and they lead the way in locking up products. This is not ok."
Others say that they have seen similar devices outside other retailers including Safeway and Rite Aid telling people not to loiter outside.
Anti-theft measures rolled out by retailers
Retailers across the US and Canada have rolled out strategies designed to combat theft. The U.S. Sun has compiled a list of measures that have been implemented at stores.
- Locking items in cabinets.
- Security pegs.
- Security cameras.
- Signs warning about the impact of theft.
- Receipt scanners.
- Receipt checks.
- Carts with locking technology
However, one shopper claimed that the device at their Safeway is "universally ignored" while another warned that a store near them with the device was recently boarded up and has been closed down.
'LIKE A THIEF'
Retailers have been warned about pushing away loyal customers with new anti-theft measures as innocent shoppers feel they are being treated like criminals.
CVS' practice of locking up items has seen one shopper go "half an hour out of [his] way" to avoid the measure rather than shop there.
"Just give up being a store," he said in response to the increased locking up of goods.
However, his strategy of shopping elsewhere may not keep him free from the measure for long as other retailers including Safeway, Walmart, and Target introduce the measure.
The U.S. Sun has previously reported on the frustrations of other shoppers who have come face-to-face with locked-up goods.
One shopper suggested that they wear "jail garb" to Walmart as they are being pre-emptively treated like criminals.
"I will shop elsewhere and feel not like a thief," the angry Walmart shopper has said on X.
The U.S. Sun reached out to CVS for comment and received the following statement:
"To help ensure the safety of our customers and employees, we installed an enhanced surveillance system at our Dupont Circle store in Washington, DC in April 2023.
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"The cameras are commonly used throughout the retail industry and are focused on our store entrances and immediate premises.
"The system also periodically plays a pre-recorded message that loitering is prohibited."
