In a stark sign of the times, a Tesco supermarket has resorted to locking individual chocolate bars in plastic security cases to combat a surge in shoplifting. The move, observed at a store in Seven Kings, Ilford, East London, sees 120g Cadbury Dairy Milk caramel bars, priced at £2.10 or £1.75 for Clubcard holders, secured in boxes that require staff intervention at the checkout.
A New Level of Retail Security
Shoppers expressed bemusement at the extreme measure, which underscores the deepening cost-of-living crisis and its impact on retail crime. One customer, Kash Ali, remarked: ‘Times are hard, people will nick anything.’ Another shopper named Angela pointed out the apparent irony, noting that ‘The case cost more than the chocolate bar’.
While alcohol, meat, and electrical goods are commonly protected with tags or kept in cabinets, securing confectionery in this way represents an escalation. A source from Tesco clarified that security decisions are made individually by each store and denied it was a new nationwide policy.
Part of a Wider Trend
This practice, though novel for a UK mainstream supermarket, is not unheard of elsewhere. On the European continent, confectionery is frequently sold in similar security boxes, including in stores operated by the French retail giant Carrefour.
The chocolate lock-up is part of a broader battle against theft faced by major retailers. In September, a Sainsbury’s in Barnet protected Lindt chocolate and boxes of Persil pods. Similarly, packs of ham were seen fitted with security tags at a Tesco in Blackpool. Some Tesco branches have also installed slidable plastic strips on shelves in confectionery aisles.
Record Shoplifting and Legal Changes
These defensive measures come as shoplifting in England and Wales reached a record high. More than 530,000 instances were reported in the year up to March 2025 alone. Retailers are striving to balance theft prevention with the safety and experience of their staff and customers.
In a significant legal shift aimed at deterring offenders, the government’s new Crime and Policing Bill will change how lower-value thefts are handled. Shoplifting offences under £200 will no longer be treated as ‘summary only’ offences, potentially allowing for more serious consequences. The bill also creates a new specific offence of assaulting a retail worker.
The sight of a humble chocolate bar under lock and key serves as a potent symbol of the economic pressures and social challenges shaping the UK’s retail landscape today.
