It’s one thing to have all this theft in a place like Portland or San Francisco. This is our nation’s seat of government
DC supermarket near closing after $500K in groceries walks out the door
As cities across the U.S. grapple with a growing shoplifting problem, a Washington, D.C., grocery store may be on the verge of closure after rampant theft has depleted much of its resources, a D.C. councilman warned.
A popular Giant Food store reported $500,000 in product loss due to shoplifting, the store’s management told D.C. Councilman Trayon White recently, which equates to roughly 20% of sales after theft.
White called the news “disheartening” in a press conference last week, especially after the store recently spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to hire security guards and upgrade its equipment.
Despite its effort to crack down on shoplifters, thieves remained emboldened and continued to walk out of the store with their carts filled with stolen items, White said.
What are they supposed to do, continue to deal with the theft? They certainly do not want to get physically involved with the shoplifters, who could get violent, pull out a knife or gun.
If the store has to shut its doors, White warned the impact would be felt hard in the community, as the chain is the only major grocery outlet in Ward 8, serving more than 85,000 people. (snip)
In June, Giant President Ira Kress told Washington, D.C., radio station WTOP that thieves are stealing “everything” at the chain’s outlets, from food to beauty products. Some Giant locations began placing products behind a lock and key.
He added that shoplifting at Giant has “probably increased five to 10 times in the last three years.” The chain has 165 locations across Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and D.C.
Profit margins for grocery stores are based on volume, and with that much theft it becomes difficult to stay in business, not too mention the concern for their employees. Ward 8 is the section of D.C. that is south of the Anacostia River, and, overall, is probably the worst ward for crime. Should this really be happening in our nation’s capitol? This is embarrassing.
Read: Large Supermarket In Nation’s Capitol May Close Over $500K Worth Of Shoplifting »