A Giant Grocery Store in Southeast DC announced that it will no longer sell national name brands like Tide Detergent and other health and beauty items due to an increase in theft. The company said it will replace these items with private label brands when possible.
In addition, trained asset protection professionals will be stationed at store entrances to check receipts as shoppers exit.
These changes come after the company told DC officials it is losing half a million dollars to theft at this store location—the worst of any of its 130 stores. This store is the only full service grocery store east of the Anacostia River in Ward 8 of Southeast DC, making city officials worried about a food desert if the store were to close.
“The retail theft that we are experiencing across our market area is a problem that affects all of us, limiting product availability, creating a less convenient shopping experience, and, most critically, placing our associates and customers in harm’s way,” Giant Food said in a statement. “We need to be able to run our stores safely and profitably, and we take these responsibilities seriously. None of the tactics we deploy is the ultimate solution to the problem we face, but we continue to invest in efforts that will improve safety for our associates and customers and reduce theft.”