Giant Food stores in D.C. area ban duffel bags to thwart theft
CBSN
While some major retailers are investing in AI to combat shoplifters, Giant Food supermarket chain is taking a low-tech approach: It is banning large bags in some stores.
"Giant Food initiated a new policy at select stores that are experiencing high shrink to mitigate the unprecedented levels of product theft that have become unsustainable for our business," the company said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch.
As of May 23, customers are prohibited from bringing suitcases, duffel bags or bags larger than 14" x 14" x 6" into certain Giant stores. The chain will still permit customers to use their own reusable shopping bags. The policy is in place at Giant supermarkets in Washington, D.C., and select additional locations in the region, a company spokesperson told CBS MoneyWatch.