UK supermarkets start security tagging dairy products: You butter believe it

It’s not uncommon to see security tags on valuable items in the supermarket, like alcohol or perfume. Most people would agree, however, that everydayitems like cheese, butter, and milk do not need to be tagged.

Think again: According to Business Insider, a London Tescoand some other supermarkets across the country are putting security stickers on dairy products.

The living cost crisis

According to Deadline News, one person tweeted:

Just been to Tesco and the cheese has security tags on it…must have some devious mice up these parts.

Although comical, the economic situation sweeping across the UK is no laughing matter. Perhaps the most obvious explanation for the supermarkets’ surge in security is to guard the grocery shelves from theft amongst record rates of inflation.

Though dairy products are relatively inexpensive, the cost-of-living crisis has forced some people to make a decision: pay £4.15 for the block of cheese or potentially pay the price for shoplifting. For many, the benefits may outweigh the potential costs.

Although each supermarket seems to exercise discretion in deciding whether or not to security tag the rather mundane merchandise, dairy has become a hot commodity during financially tough times.

According to ONS data cited in Business Insider, food and drink prices rose by almost 9% from January until May. It’s not unlikely that more people are having to pinch pennies as a result.

A deterrent?

That said, ‘fractional tagging’ – or, security tagging items that are fractionally insignificant in value – has been argued to deter theft not only of tagged goods, but also of untagged goods by producing feelings of being monitored.

Time will tell if security tagging staple foods will reduce theft during these difficult times. A study by the College of Policingsuggests there is little statistical evidence to support it, however.

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