By Lisa Edser For Daily Mail Australia
Published: 00:55 EST, 15 December 2023 | Updated: 20:06 EST, 17 December 2023 Aluminum Tube For Cosmetic
A $7.50 item sold at supermarkets has proven to be so popular Coles have put it in an anti-theft container, in a move that has stunned Aussies.
Samantha Parkinson was shocked to notice a 25g tube of Lucas' Pawpaw ointment kept inside a security container at the Coles store in the shopping centre Moonee Central in Moonee Ponds, Victoria.
She filmed the product on the shelf, saying 'this is funny' as she realised how it was being displayed.
Ms Parkinson told Daily Mail Australia: 'I thought it was so ridiculous. A $7.50 lip balm being kept in a huge security box that probably cost the same amount of money?
'I saw it as I was leaving and I thought it was so absurd I had to share it,' she said.
Samantha Parkinson (pictured) was amused to find the popular Lucas Pawpaw ointment in an anti-theft container in Coles
The social media poster said she didn't approach a staff member to ask why the item was in the case.
'I just had a good laugh and walked off. I think the likelihood of me flagging down a staff member to remove any of these devices is so slim I would rather just shop somewhere else.'
After posting it to social media with the title 'Absolute madness' on Tuesday, the post has had thousands of views.
'This was the first time I’ve had so many Australians uniting in the comment section. It sat on 400 views for a few days and then just randomly spiked in viewers and hasn’t stopped since,' she said.
Social media users were quick to comment on the $13 price tag, not realising the product was sitting in the wrong spot on the shelf.
Social media users were angry at the price before realising the product was in the wrong place on the shelf
'The real madness is that it’s $13 no wonder people are stealing it,' one wrote.
But once they discovered the tube was actually priced at $7.50, their attention turned to the anti-theft containers, with many shoppers believing they were overkill.
One commented: 'I saw $9 honey in them at my local Coles.'
'Turning into the US where everything in the pharmacy is locked away,' wrote another.
Another said: 'My nan would be disgusted.'
Other social media users speculated how much time it will add going through check-out.
'And then half the people in the self serve have no idea how to open it. Have to wait 10 mins for the veterans to come down and show them,' wrote one.
Ms Parkinson is also concerned about the huge cost involved.
'I would love to know the amount of money they have spent on these cases, the new glass cabinets for deodorants, and the new anti-theft security gates at the self checkout compared with the amount of money they lose from theft,' she said.
'I think, as a consumer, it would definitely encourage me to purchase the Coles brand dupe that was next to it, instead of going through the hassle of getting help from staff to remove the device.'
A Coles spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia the supermarket giant has implemented many security measures in stores to minimise shoplifting.
Shoplifting is on the rise and retailers can lose 25 per cent profit from a merchandise loss of just 2-3 per cent
'Including CCTV, electronic article surveillance (EAS), and in some stores new smart gate technology that automatically opens as customers make payment for their products,' they said.
'While most of our customers do the right thing, unfortunately a small number don’t.'
Australian Retail Association CEO Paul Zahra recently told Daily Mail Australia shoplifting is on the rise this year.
'For retailers, a 2-3 per cent loss of merchandise can amount to 25 per cent loss in profit,' he said.
'Losses accrued from retail crime are also ultimately passed onto consumers for retailers to remain viable and sustainable. Unfortunately, we all end up paying for it.'
Coles has previously said the anti-theft container like the one in the video is used to deter stealing but advised it doesn't affect customers doing the right thing.
'If a customer wishes to purchase the item, it’s as simple as getting the encasing removed at the checkout,' a spokesperson told Yahoo.
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