Drakes Supermarkets has started a trial of putting expensive meats into global position system (GPS) tracked polycarbonate security cases in an attempt to reduce millions of dollars lost to shoplifting.
The supermarket chain said if a shopper leaves the store without paying for the meat, the case will alert the store and the suspect can be tracked.
Drakes has started a 13-week trial using the technology on expensive meat products like Wagyu in the North Haven and Eyre stores in South Australia.
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If successful, it will introduce the technology to other stores in South Australia and Queensland.
Drakes director John Paul Drake said each year, $12 million worth of meat is stolen from Drakes supermarkets, making it the most popular item for shoplifters.
He said police believe criminals often trade stolen meat, that can cost up to $100 per kilo, for drugs and other goods.
While Drake acknowledged families were doing it tough during the current cost-of-living crisis, he had no sympathy for people stealing from businesses.
“It is a large number so to put these measures in place, I feel they are needed … stealing is not an option, and you shouldn’t be stealing from anywhere. It doesn’t matter how hard it is out there,” Drake said.
“Let’s not forget 99 per cent of our customers are doing the right thing.”
The GPS technology has been used in the United Kingdom, and Drakes said it is the first supermarket in Australia to trial it.
If the trial is successful, the business will consider placing them on other items in the health and beauty aisles.
Drake said the cases cost $32 each and would need considerable force to destroy or open. The cases come off when you pay for the item, much like clothes with security tags.
“We’re into week three, I’m happy to say we haven’t found any of the packaging around the store,” he said.
