Ep. 187: Behind the Plexiglass: What Retail Security Reveals About Us
EQ: How do theft and loss prevention (security practices) reflect broader societal issues such as economic inequality and access to essential goods and what does this say about us today?
In today’s episode, inspired by a Target observation, Hope and Annie dive into the complex and often frustrating world of theft and loss prevention in retail stores. They explore how the increasing trend of locking up everyday items—ranging from cold medicine and baby formula to crayons and deodorant—reflects broader societal issues such as economic inequality and access to essential goods. The conversation examines what it means for our society when basic necessities are consistently among the most stolen items and the implications of these security measures on both consumers and retail workers. Ultimately, they question what these “security measures” say about our society today.
Resources Referenced:
LA Times “The Bane of Retail”
Do Your Fudging Homework:
Hope: Notice what’s going on in your neighborhood
Annie: Observe how your local store with locked merchandise handles it - like watch how it operates in the context of this conversation. Please share your hot takes and photos on social media and Slack if you’re a member of Channel 253! The first step in understanding this problem is to turn on the lights!