Rite Aid is a drugstore chain that’s been around for over 50 years. Naturally, they’ve struggled with losses due to shoplifting at most of their outlets nationwide. That’s why they have a shoplifting policy and several other resources to reduce thefts.
Rite Aid has a ‘hands-off’ policy when it comes to shoplifters. Workers are trained not to chase thieves or try to get the items back. Still, they have security guards, investigators, and even off-duty police officers to deter shoplifters. They also use tools like security cameras and facial recognition technology in some of their locations.
Read through this guide to discover everything there is to know about Rite Aid’s shoplifting policy, what it covers, and what other resources the company uses to protect its products, workers, and customers.
What’s Covered In Rite Aid’s Shoplifting Policy?
Rite Aid has suffered plenty of losses over the years due to shoplifters. That’s why it’s no surprise that they’ve devoted plenty of effort and resources toward building a detailed shoplifting policy.
Like many other organizations, Rite Aid’s shoplifting policy is ‘hands-off’. That means staff are instructed not to chase shoplifters or try to get back anything that was stolen from their store.
These kinds of policies might not make sense to many people. However, they exist because Rite Aid prioritizes the safety of their customers and their workers alike. According to their shoplifting policy, the best way to keep everyone safe seems to be to let shoplifters go.
Still, the policy tells staff to collect as much information as possible about the shoplifters, like their license plate numbers, if that’s possible at all.
It’s safe to assume that Rite Aid will pass that information on to the authorities for further action.
Aside from that, Rite Aid also uses some common shoplifting deterrents that you’d find in most leading retail brands. That includes things like:
- Security cameras
- Signs to warn shoplifters and inform them that cameras are recording
- Security officers
- Showcases where valuable products can be locked up
Again, these are deterrents that are meant to discourage would-be thieves from stealing items inside the Rite Aid outlet. They don’t guarantee that shoplifting won’t happen, nor do they guarantee that a thief will be caught.
However, they do make shoplifting significantly more challenging and therefore reduce the chances of it happening.
Does Rite Aid Hire Security Guards?
Yes, Rite Aid does hire security guards to patrol their stores and act as a deterrent against shoplifters. Not only does Rite Aid hire full-time security guards, but they have also been known to hire off-duty police officers for the same reason.
Still, it’s important to remember that these guards are subject to the same shoplifting policies as other Rite Aid workers.
Therefore, their ability to stop thieves is somewhat limited as they are trained not to pursue shoplifters and only record their details.
Despite the ‘hands-off’ shoplifting policy in place, some security guards will still try to stop a shoplifter from leaving the store.
Besides that, Rite Aid also hires investigators to help build cases against repeat offenders. Their job is to observe and gather information while collaborating with law enforcement agencies.
These investigators are also responsible for catching Rite Aid workers who steal from the store, whether that’s products on the shelves, money, or any other company assets.
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What Happens If Someone Is Caught Shoplifting?
Suppose a person were to steal from a Rite Aid and get caught doing so. In that case, there are two things that will usually happen:
- Firstly, security guards will ask the person to remove everything they’ve stolen from their bags, pockets, or anywhere else they’re keeping those items.
- Simultaneously, the shoplifter will be recorded by video as they show the items they’ve been caught trying to steal.
- Then, store security will record the shoplifter’s details. That could include their name, photograph, address, and more.
- Lastly, shoplifters are required to sign a document stating they will not return to the Rite Aid outlet. Effectively, they’re banned from Rite Aid for a specific period that can be 2 years or more.
These things are a typical response to a shoplifter getting caught at Rite Aid, but they’re not necessarily what might happen every time. For example, some thefts are reported to the police and prosecuted in court.
There’s no clear rule on whether or not a shoplifter will be handed over to the police. However, that decision is likely based on the total value of the items stolen from Rite Aid, as well as whether or not the shoplifter was compliant with security or resisted and became violent.
Does Rite Aid Use Facial Recognition Technology?
Yes, Rite Aid has been known to use facial recognition technology in its stores.
These technologies consist of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and software that can identify a customer’s facial features.
Suppose a security guard witnesses a customer committing a crime inside a Rite Aid store. In that case, they can use that facial recognition system to add the customer’s face to a watchlist.
The next time that the customer enters a Rite Aid, the system will warn the security guards by sending alerts to their cellphones. Then, those guards will approach the customer and ask them to leave.
Naturally, there has been some controversy surrounding Rite Aid’s use of that technology. Firstly, some argue that Rite Aid only uses the technology in lower-income neighborhoods where minorities live and not others.
On top of that, some organizations oppose Rite Aid’s use of facial recognition because they believe it violates the privacy of other law-abiding customers.
Despite that, advocates for it say that the technology has many benefits to offer. For instance, they say that it reduces the number of shoplifting cases that occur in Rite Aid outlets.
Besides that, they also say that it keeps the environment safer for workers and other customers in the store.
Do Rite Aid Shoplifters Get Arrested?
Yes, it’s possible for Rite Aid shoplifters to get arrested after they’ve stolen from the store. However, there’s no consistency in how or why they get arrested.
As you’ve read earlier, some shoplifters are confronted by store security and asked to return the items. Then, security will record their details and ban them from the store.
Alternatively, customers on a watchlist will simply be asked to leave the store if they ever return.
Still, there are plenty of news reports about shoplifters getting arrested and charged in court.
It seems that shoplifters are treated on a case-by-case basis. Based on what similar stores tend to do, it could be that Rite Aid will press charges if the value of the stolen goods is high enough.
Besides that, it’s also probable that they’ll make it a police matter if the shoplifter puts customers or workers in harm’s way.
Final Thoughts
At this point, you can tell just how much effort and resources Rite Aid has invested into its shoplifting policy.
The company takes shoplifting seriously, especially since the crime is responsible for significant financial losses every year.
Rite Aid trains its staff to be ‘hands-off’ when it comes to shoplifters. Still, shoplifters are stopped, have their details recorded, and are banned from stores.
In more severe cases, they are handed over to the police to be arrested and charged in court for their crimes.
Reference Sources
https://www.thestreet.com/investing/rite-aid-says-theft-is-a-much-bigger-problem
https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-riteaid-software/