Random security checks at Swiss supermarkets: an unexpected safety measure
In Switzerland, shoplifting cases are on the rise, and conventional cash registers are becoming a thing of the past.
More consumers are opting for self-serve checkouts or handheld scanners linked to their smartphones in stores like Coop and Migros. This shift extends to discount chains Aldi and Lidl as well, who've reported a surge in shoplifting incidents.
To combat this issue, Aldi and Lidl have been conducting more frequent bag checks. A Lidl spokesperson confirmed they work with external security providers for these checks. Meanwhile, Migros and Coop also implement various security measures, including random bag checks, though they are uncommon.
The root cause? One percent of total sales often goes unscanned at cash registers, totaling a staggering loss of 300 million francs per year. These costs are ultimately borne by honest customers, as reported by a Migros spokesperson.
Statistics from the Federal Statistical Office corroborate the rise in such thefts, with 19,781 cases reported in 2022 and 24,252 cases in the following year.
One might wonder, are the Swiss becoming less honest?
Contrary to popular belief, a study conducted across 40 countries showed that Switzerland is home to the most "morally correct" people. The study found that democratic countries with active citizen participation tend to score higher on civic honesty.
However, the rise in shoplifting incidents doesn't definitively indicate a shift in the overall honesty of Swiss residents. Some instances could be inadvertent, or the increased reporting of thefts could play a part.
As for the question of consent for bag checks, customers have the right to refuse, according to Livia Kunz, a lawyer at the Consumer Protection Foundation. However, if refusal leads to a search, the store may file a police report or call authorities directly.
** curious about the broader context?**
Recent data suggests a rise in property crimes across Europe, with an increase of 11.5% in burglaries and walk-in thefts in Switzerland in 2024. Factors such as economic pressure, social changes, and reporting practices might contribute to this trend. While specific data on shoplifting is limited, these broader trends can help contextualize any potential increase in such incidents.
READ ALSO: Why leaving shopping bags unattended in Switzerland could cost you dearly
- The rise in shoplifting cases in Switzerland has led discount chains like Aldi and Lidl to increase bag checks, with some instances involving external security providers.
2.店員 tactics to counter rising shoplifting incidents in Lidl and Aldl involves more frequent bag checks, some employing external security providers.
- Despite some shoplifting incidents rising in Switzerland, a study shows that the country's population is among the most "morally correct," indicating that a shift in overall honesty may not be the cause.
- Shoppers have the right to refuse bag checks in Switzerland, but stores may report the incident to police or authorities if they do so and items are found to be stolen, as stated by Livia Kunz, a lawyer at the Consumer Protection Foundation.
