Overview
- Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Co‑op are securing chocolate in clear lockable cases or shelf barriers in selected stores, with staff needed to release items.
- The British Retail Consortium reports about 5.5 million shop thefts last year costing roughly £408m, with more than £5bn invested in security measures across the sector.
- The Heart of England Co‑op says chocolate losses reached £250,000 in a year and it has spent £3m on prevention, warning a single offender can strip shelves worth around £500.
- The Association of Convenience Stores says confectionery is being stolen to order for illicit resale and supports stronger enforcement as the Crime and Policing Bill progresses to bolster protections for retail workers and remove the under‑£200 perceived immunity.
- Security firms tout AI and live facial recognition as deterrents, while a more than 17% annual rise in chocolate prices to October 2025 has increased the resale value of larger bars.