Increased crime has compelled restaurants, grocery stores, and cafes across the country to maneuver their operations strategies, spending more on security, reducing item quantities on shelves, and limiting store hours or closing locations completely, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Customer drug use and related disruptions caused Starbucks to permanently close 16 U.S. locations last week, according to the report. Interim CEO Howard Schultz confirmed these stores were profitable, but they had to shut down because of safety concerns.
“We are facing things that the stores weren’t built for,” he said. “We are listening to our people and closing stores.” Shultz also said that local governments should do more to fight crime and mental illness as the need to address safety has grown.
As a result of many factors including the pandemic, inflation, and increased housing prices, violent crime has been on the rise across the country, with cities like Seattle, Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York reporting a surge in shootings and killings.
According to data provided by the FBI, the number of aggravated-assault offenses in the U.S. has increased in many locations where food is served when comparing 2020 results to 2018; Convenience stores, restaurants, department and discount stores, grocery stores, specialty stores, and shopping malls have all seen an influx of incidents. Convenience stores have seen the largest bump from around 3,000 incidences in 2018, doubling to over 6,000 in 2020.
Steve Schwarz, director of sales for Morton Williams, a New York and New Jersey supermarket, said that the retailer is putting smaller quantities of items at risk for theft on shelves, like bacon, smoked salmon, and ice cream. Some items, like Tide detergent pods, are even placed behind the counter.
Morton Williams, the Fresh Market Place, and Kroger have all cited theft and crime as a detriment to their grocery businesses. Full Story (Subscription required)
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