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Are retail stores doing enough to prevent shoplifting? Canadians split in poll
Global News
Respondents were divided on whether they would support measures such as store employees checking receipts when customers exit or eliminating self-checkout machines.
Less than half of Canadians believe retail stores are implementing the right amount of security measures to prevent shoplifting but the majority say they would feel safe working in one, a new Leger poll found.
The survey on retail security indicated that a wide majority of people support retailers implementing measures to prevent theft such as installing security cameras or electronic anti-theft alarms attached to items, hiring security guards or locking certain products in display cases.
But respondents were split on whether they would support measures such as store employees checking receipts when customers exit or eliminating self-checkout machines. Support dipped to 17 per cent for requiring customers to scan their IDs to make a purchase.
The survey was completed online by more than 1,500 Canadians at least 18 years old between Aug. 4-6 and results were weighted according to age, gender, mother tongue, region, education and presence of children in the household.
When it comes to retailers implementing security measures to prevent shoplifting, 45 per cent of respondents said companies are putting in place the right level.
Around 27 per cent said they are not implementing enough measures, while 10 per cent said stores are doing too much to prevent shoplifting.
Asked about the level of shoplifting where they live relative to the rest of Canada, just 14 per cent of respondents said their province sees more theft than other parts of the country.
The sentiment was felt most strongly in B.C., where one-quarter of respondents said they felt their province sees more store theft than others.