A sign at the Van Ness Giant spells out the new policy barring large backpacks and other bags.
First the news, if you haven’t already heard: Since May 23rd, Giant Food has been barring shoppers from entering certain stores with backpacks, suitcases and other bags larger than 14 by 14 by 6 inches. One of those stores is the Van Ness Giant, at 4303 Connecticut Avenue.
The new policy is as popular with customers as you might expect.
We have been getting messages from backpack-toting neighbors who have been turned away from Giant. They include Margaret Romig, to whom the policy just seems “bizarre.”
“I called the manager from outside,” Romig wrote in an email, “and he said it was a new theft prevention measure and I should shop somewhere else. Whoa!”
The no-backpacks policy will certainly stop my husband from stopping in on his way home from work. I often shop there with my own backpack. No more.
Do they mean to drive us all into MOM’s arms when it opens (hopefully sooner rather than later)?
I checked with the corporate office and asked how much they are losing to theft, and whether they’ve considered the business they will lose to this policy. I also asked whether they considered checking receipts as shoppers leave the store. This is the reply I received from Jonathan Aron, Giant Food’s community relations manager:
We understand your concern and appreciate you sharing them with us. We realize this approach is extremely disruptive and goes against the shopping experience we want to provide for our customers. These stores were chosen because they are recording extremely high levels of shrink and unsustainable product loss. We have to be able to operate our stores safely and profitably. Like many other retailers that have recently been forced to take similar actions, we are implementing these changes in an effort to mitigate the unprecedented levels of theft that we are experiencing at these stores.
While this policy limits backpacks and other oversized bags, it does not limit the use of open reusable bags. Enforcement also seems inconsistent. Another neighbor who shopped twice at the Van Ness Giant over the weekend saw other shoppers with backpacks and one with a rolling shopping tote, which – like backpacks – are popular with the car-free set.
Grocery stores around the region are trying out other anti-theft tactics. As The Washington Post reported on May 29th, some Safeway stores have installed electronic exit gates in self-checkout areas. To leave, customers have to scan their receipts. And Harris Teeter is stationing employees at exits to check customer receipts.
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Madeline La Porta says
Perhaps Giant and CVS might consider hiring more staff. As it stands now, the customer is expected to do their own checkout and hunt for scarce staff if they need assistance. These businesses are cutting staff and pushing more responsibilities on to customers. Guards at the door are either chatting with people or looking at their phones. Giant and CVS are alienating paying customers from the neighborhood rather than properly staffing stores and providing enough cashiers. Shopping at suburban grocery and drug stores is becoming more attractive these days.
Merry Richon says
As Ms. LaPorta comments, the security guards at the Van Ness Giant really are a joke. They barely notice the people who come in, and we really never see them observing shoppers departing. Of course the management in that store is so incredibly unfriendly, I would hesitate to even ask a question.
Joe says
1) Why not discuss with Giant management, the idea that, since they have a security guard posted at the exit(s), that guard simply stop the shoplifters instead of inconveniencing the 98% of long-time shoppers who do not shoplift? (I know I know, they probably have a policy of not confronting shoplifters)
2) Why not simply discuss the possibility of Giant installing cubby-hole shelving lockers for us to store our [small] backpacks? or at least letting us leave them behind the customer service counter, with a tag to identify our bags. (I know I know, that’s more work and hassle for them…)
Barbara Lee L Lappin says
We’re all paying the price for misbehavior in public places especially in retail stores and grocery stores. Shelves are empty or merchandise is locked away.
The backpackers will be inconvenienced. So be it. They can figure it out. While I’ve never been able to contain myself to buy a few things for a backpack, I am annoyed that merchandise is no longer available from the shelf.
Maybe these retail stores will give more service in the future. I find it a royal pain to self checkout with the machines going bonkers and having to do my own lifting. In the old days you had someone even carry your groceries to your car..
I suggest the backpackers stop whining and push for more service in the store, Lastly, I suggest that grocery stores and other retail stores have brought this on themselves by abandoning customers in the aisles and at the checkout points. Is anybody home?
Hasan Ucak says
“This is ridiculous. I used to come here at least 3 times a week, but after this policy change, I won’t be coming as often. There are no lockers, and the security guards are inadequate. How can I trust leaving my valuable things like a laptop or camera in my backpack on the floor? Anyone can just grab them and go.”
Stefano says
I have experienced the same situation at Giant on Park Road. I was coming back from work as I did over the past 10 years and had to leave my bag on the floor at the entrance.
I understand that grocery stores have to protect their goods but the way this policy is implemented is completely disrespectful of customers.
Shopping after work or school in a city is a pretty standard thing and pretending that people abandon their backpacks and bags at the entrance really shows NO care for customers by the vendors.
Apart from technology, other solutions may include lockers, devices to wrap and seal bags at entrance (like it’s done in many European countries).