‘A New Low’: Amid Emerging Preference for Booze Alternatives, Shoplifters are Now Swiping Non-Alcoholic Beer and ‘Spirits’
Supermarkets in the United Kingdom have started placing anti-theft tags on non-alcoholic beer and “spirit” products, a trend seemingly influenced by a growing preference for alcohol alternatives. (Photo: Pexels)
Theft of alcohol-free beverages, such as non-alcoholic beer and “spirits,” has emerged as a concerning trend in recent news. These products, which have seen a surge in popularity as people seek alternatives to booze, have become prime targets for shoplifters in the United Kingdom, according to the Mirror.
“Non-alcoholic speciality drinks are now a target because they have become popular,” Susannah Streeter, of financial services business Hargreaves Lansdown, informed the news outlet.
In response to this growing issue, supermarkets are implementing increased security measures, including the use of anti-theft tags on these zero-proof beverages. Among the brands and products reportedly affected are Tanqueray’s zero-proof Sevilla Gin, 0.5%-ABV Brewdog Punk IPA, non-alcoholic red vermouth product Martini Vibrante and Seedlip’s Grove 42 spirit alternative.
The thefts are seen by experts as a form of “organized looting,” marking a “new low” in criminal activity, the Mirror noted.
Retailers have acknowledged the need for increased vigilance. British retailer Tesco, for instance, has stated that some of its stores have already introduced security protection for these booze-free items. This shift comes as part of a broader effort by law enforcement, government officials and retailers to combat the shoplifting epidemic, which has seen a 25% increase in reported incidents.
The Mirror added that this alarming trend has left retailers with staggering annual losses estimated at £1 billion, leading to the allocation of £600,000 (about $730,164) to intensify efforts against theft.
Last week, it was reported that one particularly brazen group of shoplifters in the UK informed staff of a Waitrose that they would return when the gin they were after was restocked.
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