Grocery store chain Giant Food is testing a new policy that involves the bag you carry. The store’s new policy prohibits customers from bringing duffel bags, suitcases or bags larger than 14 x 14 x 6 inches, or the average size of a backpack. in the store. The new rule surprises shoppers at the Giant Food East 33rd Street store in Waverly. He said, “We’re not allowed to take your bag, but if you don’t leave your bag, you won’t be allowed in the store,” said Cheryl Wiley, a Giant customer. “I almost made it to the fruit. A guy ran up behind me and said, “Hey, you can’t bring this bag here.” I said, “OK, where should I put it?” “He said, ‘You’ve got to drop it off somewhere,'” said Richard Johnson, a Giant customer. Giant said it was initiating the rule in stores experiencing significant inventory losses to prevent “unprecedented levels” of theft becoming “unsustainable.” for companies. Giant spokesperson Jon Arons sent a statement to 11 News, saying: “The retail product theft we are experiencing in our market is an issue that affects everyone. It limits product availability, creates a less convenient shopping experience and, most importantly, puts our associates and customers at risk. “We need to be able to operate our stores safely and profitably, and we take these responsibilities seriously. The tactics we deploy are just one solution to our problem. “Nevertheless, we continue to invest in improving the safety of our associates and customers and reducing theft At Giant Food, the well-being of our community, our customers and our associates is paramount. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation. that we are working together to create a safer shopping environment for everyone “We have implemented this in some stores in our area. We are aware that this approach is extremely disruptive and goes against the shopping experience we want to offer our customers. These stores were chosen because they experience extremely high levels of shrink and unsustainable product loss. “Baltimore City Councilor Odette Ramos, D District 14, told 11 News she is working with management to determine if there is another way to prevent theft, such as bag checks at the door or fewer self-checkouts “It’s a little disconcerting that they’re trying to come up with a blanket solution to a complex problem, which would be what they would do here,” Ramos said. “There are a lot of them. of people who come to this giant, and a lot of people walk, so they have to use a backpack. Lots of people ride bikes. At one point, I was a mother of a young child and had a backpack for everything that comes with a child. “Customers said they were aware of the theft, but reaction to the new rule remains mixed.” flight. I spent a lot of time working in retail, so I think it’s a great idea,” said Rob Walter, a Giant customer. “I understand that people sometimes use backpacks for stealing and shoplifting, but for the traveler like me, this is not the case. t, it’s just annoying. That’s it,” Johnson said.
Grocery store chain Giant Food is testing a new policy that involves the bag you carry.
The store’s new policy prohibits customers from bringing duffel bags, suitcases or bags larger than 14 x 14 x 6 inches, or the size of an average backpack, into the store.
The new rule surprises shoppers at the East 33rd Street Giant Food store in Waverly.
“He said, ‘We’re not allowed to take your bag, but if you don’t leave your bag, you won’t be allowed in the store,'” said Cheryl Wiley, a Giant customer.
“I almost got to the fruit. A guy ran up behind me and said, ‘Hey, you can’t bring this bag here.’ I said, ‘OK, where should I put it?’ He said, ‘You have to put it somewhere,'” said Richard Johnson, a Giant customer.
Giant said it was introducing the rule to stores experiencing significant inventory losses to avoid “unprecedented levels” of theft that has become “unsustainable” for businesses.
Giant spokesperson Jon Arons sent a statement to 11 News, saying: “The retail product theft we are experiencing in our market area is an issue that affects everyone. It limits product availability, creates a less convenient shopping experience, and most importantly, puts our associates and customers at risk.
“We need to be able to operate our stores safely and profitably, and we take these responsibilities seriously. The tactics we are deploying are just one solution to our problem.
“Nevertheless, we continue to invest in improving the safety of our associates and customers and reducing theft. At Giant Food, the well-being of our community, customers and associates is paramount. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work together to create a more secure shopping environment for everyone.
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“We have implemented this in some stores in our region. We realize that this approach is extremely disruptive and goes against the shopping experience we want to provide our customers. These stores were chosen because that they are experiencing extremely high levels of shrinkage and unsustainable product loss.”
Baltimore City Councilwoman Odette Ramos, D District 14, told 11 News she is working with management to determine if there is another way to prevent theft, such as a bag check at the door or less automatic cash registers.
“It’s a little disconcerting that they’re trying to come up with a blanket solution to a complex problem, which is what they’re doing here,” Ramos said. “There are a lot of people who come to see this Giant, and a lot of people walk, so they have to use a backpack. A lot of people ride bikes. I was a mom to a young child at one point, and I had a backpack for everything that comes with a child.”
Customers said they were aware of the theft, but reaction to the new rule remains mixed.
“It stops the theft. I spent a lot of time working in retail, so I think it’s a great idea,” said Rob Walter, a Giant customer.
“I understand that people sometimes use backpacks to steal and shoplift, but for the traveler like me, that’s not the case, it’s just inconvenient. That’s all,” said Johnson said.