Walgreens Shoplifting Policy 2023: What You Need to Know
As one of the largest pharmacy and retail chains, with over 9,000 locations, Walgreens is a prime target for shoplifters. Industry estimates suggest retail chains lose over $45 billion to theft each year, so Walgreens has a vested interest in deterring crime.
Here is an in-depth look Walgreens‘ shoplifting policies for 2024 and how the company aims to combat retail crime while keeping employees and customers safe.
Scope of Shoplifting Impact
To understand Walgreens‘ policies, it helps to know the scale of shoplifting they deal with. Approximately 3% of revenues are lost to theft across the retail industry each year. For Walgreens, with $139.5 billion in annual revenues, that equates to over $4 billion in losses.
Shoplifting accounts for 36% of retail theft according to NRF data. This suggests Walgreens loses $1.44 billion directly from shoplifters each year. With narrow retail margins, these substantial losses hurt profitability.
Hands-Off Approach: Why Walgreens Has a Strict "No Chase" Policy
The most important thing to know is that Walgreens employees are prohibited from chasing or physically engaging with shoplifters in any way. This strict "no chase" policy aims to protect employees and customers from potential harm above all else.
Even if an employee directly witnesses a shoplifter in the act, they are not allowed to confront or try to stop them. Why such a hands-off approach?
Safety first: Confrontations can quickly turn violent. Shoplifters may carry weapons or become aggressive if confronted.
Avoid legal risk: Wrongful accusations or use of force against innocent customers opens Walgreens up to lawsuits.
Prevent vigilante behavior: Employees should not take law enforcement into their own hands.
Accept theft as a cost of business: Potential injury and legal liabilities outweigh value of stolen merchandise.
For example, a Walgreens employee in Wisconsin chased down a shoplifter in the store parking lot in 2016. While well intentioned, this goes against corporate policy for safety reasons.
Reliance on Surveillance and Cooperation with Police
With a hands-off physical approach, Walgreens combats shoplifting through extensive security systems and cooperation with law enforcement after the fact.
Thousands of cameras: Most stores have hundreds of security cameras with 360 degree coverage, monitored 24/7 from a central office.
Sophisticated analytics: Video analytics software can detect suspicious behavior and send instant alerts. Machine learning systems actually become better at identifying potential thieves over time.
Item-level tracking: RFID tags on high theft items like electronics allow real-time inventory visibility. Theft incidents can be pinpointed down to the exact product stolen.
Frequent police cooperation: Walgreens shares video evidence and works closely with police to prosecute arrested shoplifters. In San Francisco alone, over 2,000 cases were referred to SFPD in 2021.
This technology-first, high security environment aims to deter criminals from targeting Walgreens. If thefts do occur, there is a digital trail to aid police in charging and prosecuting offenders.
Store Design and Tech to Deter Shoplifting
Alongside cameras, Walgreens uses other elements to dissuade potential thieves:
Strategic merchandise placement: High theft items like cosmetics and electronics are kept near registers.
EAS tags: Electronic article surveillance tags sound alarms if someone tries leaving with protected merchandise.
Constant employee presence: Associates use headsets to coordinate, ensuring every area of the store is staffed.
No blind spots: Mirror domes give illusion of full camera coverage, even in spots with no actual cameras present.
Bright lighting: Well-lit stores have no dark corners or areas obscured from view.
These measures aim to create an environment where shoplifters feel they are being watched and likely to get caught if they attempt stealing.
Shoplifting Prosecution Statistics
Walgreens takes a hard stance when it comes to prosecuting shoplifters caught by police. The company actively works with law enforcement by sharing evidence and pressing charges.
Some statistics on Walgreens shoplifting prosecutions:
- Over 35,000 incidents reported to police annually
- 7,400 shoplifting prosecutions pursued in 2021
- $12.7 million in restitution sought in 2021
- 87% success rate in convictions when Walgreens assists prosecution
Their participation in criminal cases drastically improves prosecution success compared to cases where the retailer is not involved. This helps explain why Walgreens aggressively works with police despite not confronting thieves physically in stores.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
In my analysis, Walgreens has developed an effective anti-shoplifting strategy that balances mitigating theft with protecting people first.
Pros: Reliance on technology over physical confrontation is sensible. Cooperation with law enforcement helps achieve high prosecution rates for those caught. Store design and deterrents likely stop a reasonable portion of would-be thieves.
Cons: Billions in losses are still occurring annually. Total prevention is impossible. "No chase" policy means accepting some criminals will get away. False sense that Walgreens is an easy target may encourage more attempts.
There are no perfect solutions. However, Walgreens appears to strike the right balance given retail realities. Employee and customer well being comes first. Frequent prosecution and anti-theft technology limit exploitation of the hands-off policy.
Conclusion
Walgreens combats shoplifting through extensive security systems, close work with police, targeted store design, and strategic policies that emphasize safety over intervention. While losses still occur, this approach allows Walgreens to deter crime without unduly risking employee and customer health.
