Within Target’s extreme anti-theft measures, from tether displays to gatekeeper machines

TARGET has uncovered several creative security strategies as department stores across the country face increasing reports of shoplifting.

The extreme anti-theft measures come after Michael Fiddelke, Target’s chief financial officer, admitted he suffered major financial losses from shoplifting.

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In November 2022, Fiddelke reported that organized retail theft cost Target $400 million in the third quarter.

“We know we’re not alone in retail when we see a trend that I think has gotten progressively worse over the last 12 to 18 months,” Fiddelke told Yahoo Finance.

The retail industry leader stressed that direct action would be taken to prevent shoplifting in the future.

“So we’re taking the right actions in our stores to curb this trend wherever we can,” he added.

Insider took a closer look at some of the new security measures implemented at their local Target location.

One photo shows a wall-mounted video game display discouraging customers from removing it without staff assistance.

The pharmacy department has also recently undergone some changes.

While many personal care items on the shelves are still fully accessible, others have systems in place that make it difficult for people to steal them.

Plan B’s emergency contraceptive pills were one of the items placed in security boxes that can be removed at checkout.

Security labels have even reached the beauty realm, with false eyelashes and press-on nails adding extra protection.

Target has even gone so far as to protect its shopping carts. The retailer bought Gatekeeper Systems, a robot that automatically retrieves loose shopping carts.

Target isn’t the only department store testing new security measures ahead of soaring prices and reports of shoplifting.

Stores like Walmart, Lowe’s and Kroger have also been testing new surveillance systems as they face the looming “retail apocalypse.”