A recent Statistics Canada report reveals shoplifting of $5,000 and under has increased, and one Halifax-area grocery store says it’s becoming evident.
Gateway Meat Market co-owner Tamara McKay says as food prices rise, she has noticed an increase in people resorting to shoplifting.
“Certainly as prices have gone up over the years and inflation is up and things like that, people are struggling and desperate,” she said.
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“But we’re very good at keeping our prices low, so we try to make sure shoplifting is minimal.”
When Gateway opened in 2008, one of the first things the owners did was install security cameras. There are now more than 50 cameras throughout the store.
McKay says these measures are part of the reason they’re able to keep their prices affordable.
“It affects small businesses so much and it would have a real impact on the prices we can offer. So we really needed to make sure we weren’t losing money coming out of the store because of shoplifting,” he said. she declared.
Halifax Regional Police say they have also seen an increase in retail thefts in recent years.
In a statement, HRP said officers “maintain a visible presence” in all business districts.
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