Anti-theft devices on minced steaks: a supermarket in Hérault equips itself to combat shoplifting

De la viande protégée par des antivols en plastique rigide, de couleur rouge et noir. – SYLVIE CAMBON

Le magasin Intermarché de Balaruc-les-Bains, dans l’Hérault, a mis des antivols sur la viande après avoir constaté de nombreux vols à l’étalage dans un contexte d’inflation.

Burgers, steaks and sirloins under anti-theft devices on the shelves of a supermarket. The image is quite surprising. However, this is the decision taken in recent weeks by the Intermarché store in Balaruc-les-Bains, in Hérault, to deal with the recurrence of shoplifting.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

In the meat section of the supermarket, we can actually notice certain Charal brand packaging fitted with an anti-theft system comparable to those regularly found on textiles, alcohol, perfumes or video games. The products are “pinched” by a tamper-proof system made of rigid plastic, red and black, so that no one can open them, except for cashiers.

“This is recurrent, unfortunately, in today's society”

This deterrent process is not a first in France. “We decided to implement this after noticing thefts of meat in recent months,” explains Jennifer Bro, the store manager, who indicates that this decision was taken internally by the supermarket itself, and not at the request of the manufacturer. We met and decided to act. But it is not specific to this type of product and we are not more affected than elsewhere. Thefts are everywhere, on everything. It is recurrent, unfortunately, in today's society. We don't really have a choice.”

Inflation context

This method comes in an inflationary context that weighs heavily on the purchasing power of the French. According to figures from the Ministry of the Interior, food inflation is the cause of an increase in shoplifting. The authorities are said to have recorded 42,000 in 2022, an increase of 14% over one year.

Taking January 2022 prices as a reference, the average basket in supermarkets would have increased by 22% (source quechoisir.org, January 2025). Prices in the butcher and delicatessen sections, in this case, would have jumped by 18.5% and 21.3% respectively in two years. This is more than fishmongers (+10%) or spirits and champagnes (12.9%), but still far from dairy products (+26%), or even pet food, at the top of the ranking (+29.5%).

“I had never seen that before. To have to go to this point, that says a lot”

In Balaruc-les-Bains, among some consumers encountered in the meat section, it is a mixture of surprise and dismay. “I've never seen that before. To have to go to that point, that says a lot, observes this customer, taken aback. It shows that there are more and more thefts. That said, when you see the prices…” A “quite sad” observation, agrees this other customer. “These are steaks, not a magnum of champagne!” While another couple, trolley in hand, leave the department taking a carpaccio under lock and key without even noticing the presence of the object…

The Balarucois brand specifies that thefts of this merchandise have significantly decreased since the installation of these locks. “That solved the problem”, notes the management.

I subscribe to read the rest