Grocer Leverages GPS to Reduce Meat Shrink

Australian chain Drakes Supermarkets is piloting GPS-tracked polycarbonate security cases on expensive meats in an effort to reduce the loss of millions of dollars from shoplifting, reports 7News.

If a shopper leaves the store without paying for the meat, the case will alert the store and the customer can be tracked. The cases cost $32 each and will come off once the customer pays for the item, akin to security tags in clothing stores.

The chain is beginning with a thirteen-week trial at two stores and plans to roll out the technology to more stores if successful.

Director of Drakes Supermarkets, John Paul Drake, said that $12 million worth of meat is stolen from the retail chain annually, adding that it is the most popular item for shoplifters to take.

“It is a large number so to put these measures in place, I feel they are needed ... stealing is not an option, and you shouldn’t be stealing from anywhere,” Drake said. Full Story