groceries – Topical Fruit

Rich People Are Shockingly Good at Stealing from Self-Checkout

Have you ever had a self-checkout screen ask for a quantity, then looked at your bag of avocados, and thought, “Eh, ‘four.’ Close enough”?

Turns out a lot of people do exactly that, but here’s the twist: it is not the people struggling the most who are doing it. It is the people who definitely can afford the avocados.

A new report found that 27% of Americans admit they have intentionally skipped scanning an item at self-checkout. But when you break it down by income, the numbers get funnier and also slightly villainous.

Among households earning $100,000 or more, a full 40% admit they have stolen something at least once. That number drops to 27% for people making between $50,000 and $99,000. And only 17% of people making under $50,000 say they have done it.

So basically, the more money you have, the more likely you are to commit a misdemeanor over a bag of grapes.

This survey relies entirely on self-reporting, so it is possible rich people believe it’s less of a big deal. There is also no distinction between people who have done it once and people who treat self-checkout like an all-you-can-steal buffet.

The demographic split is just as wild. Men admit to cheating the system at a rate of 38%, compared to just 16% of women. Millennials are the boldest at 41%, closely followed by Gen Z at 37%. Gen X sits at 24%, and Boomers are basically saints with only 2% admitting they have done it.

Parents with young kids at home? Oh, they are absolutely stealing snacks. A giant 44% admit to it, compared to 7% of parents with adult kids and 19% of people without kids.

So why are people risking legal trouble over a $3 item?

The thieves were given 10 reasons to choose from, and the top answer was the economy. People said they are having trouble affording essentials because of “the current financial climate.” Next was frustration with recent price increases, followed by the general vibe of “prices feel unfair.”

After that, the excuses get a little philosophical. Some say self-checkout is essentially unpaid labor, so taking something small feels like compensation. Others think big stores are so profitable that the harm is minimal. And of course, plenty of people admit they steal because the chance of being caught is low.

17% of people justify stealing because there are long lines.

And 14% say they feel justified because they have been falsely accused of shoplifting before, which is… quite a plot twist.

So the next time you are at self-checkout and the machine says “unexpected item in the bagging area,” just know it is probably referring to someone’s conscience.

This Is the Age We Stop Preferring Self-Checkout

We all have our social quirks, or not-so-social quirks. Some of us talk to our plants. Some of us talk to our cats. But increasingly, some of us would rather not talk to a cashier… ever again.

According to recent data from a consumer group, 42% of shoppers overall now prefer self-checkout. But age matters.

The appeal? 82% of them prefer it because it’s faster, 41% said quieter, and 36% enjoy bagging their own groceries like they’re playing real-life “Tetris.”

The no-chat checkout life is especially beloved by Gen Z and Millennials, who most definitely prefer shopping methods that involve as little human interaction as possible. Whether it’s self-checkout, curbside pickup, or ordering online so they don’t have to speak to Chad in Aisle 6… they’re in.

Meanwhile, older shoppers are holding the line: 40% still prefer human cashiers, often because they enjoy the interaction, but also because they don’t want to have to bag all their own stuff.

So when does the turning point occur? Age 55

According to the report, 55 is the age when the average shopper starts saying, “You know what? I’m picking the lane with an actual person.”

And when it comes to in-store pickup, the generational divide gets even wider. 86% of Gen Z and 76% of Millennials do it at least monthly, with about a quarter doing it weekly. Half of Gen X and Boomers, though? They’ve never tried it. Possibly because they don’t trust their phone. Or maybe they just like wandering around.

Bottom line: Retailers need to cater to both crowds. Give the people their human-free zones… but don’t unplug the cashiers just yet. Some of us still like a little small talk with our snacks.

Walmart Is Locking Up Their Meat Now?

We’ve seen deodorant and baby formula behind locked cases. But meat? Welcome to 2025, where even your ribeye might come with a security cage.

Walmart customers are sounding off online after spotting cuts of steak in tiny wire lockboxes — not behind glass, but still secured with anti-theft devices that must be removed at checkout. Videos of the locked-up groceries have gone viral on TikTok and Instagram, sparking both disbelief and dark humor.

In one clip, a shopper stares at a packaged steak wrapped in a miniature metal gate and says, “That’s when you know it’s bad — when they put miniature gates so you don’t steal their meats.”

@solid_soul83
Walmart tired of yall! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 not the meat
♬ original sound – solidsoul83

Why the Locks?

Walmart hasn’t issued a new public statement about the move, but this isn’t a new phenomenon. Some stores in higher-theft areas have used this strategy for the past few years. However, its recent reappearance on social media — and the fact that it’s happening in the grocery section — has reignited debate about retail theft.

The locked meat isn’t a standard across all locations, suggesting it’s a localized response rather than a nationwide rollout. Still, the optics are striking: a T-bone under lock and key says a lot about the current state of retail.

Retail Theft: A Growing Issue

Big-box retailers have increasingly leaned on security measures as organized retail crime and shoplifting reports rise. In the past, this has meant locking up electronics, beauty products, or over-the-counter medications. But now, with inflation hitting grocery bills hard, high-priced food items are starting to show up on theft prevention lists too.

Walmart isn’t alone. Some Target and CVS stores have also been criticized for locking up everyday essentials, prompting frustration from paying customers who feel like they’re being punished for the actions of a few.

What’s Next?

While anti-theft cages on steaks might seem like a temporary quirk, it taps into a bigger conversation: how far stores are willing to go to protect inventory — and how much inconvenience shoppers will tolerate.

So far, eggs haven’t been caged. But at this rate? Don’t count anything out.