Posters promoting theft from Loblaws circulate online
Pictures of a poster encouraging people to steal from Loblaw Companies Limited next month on a specific date have been circulating online.
Despite stringent security measures put in place to prevent thefts, including security at many of their store entrances and Plexiglass barriers at most exits, posters circulating online are encouraging people to steal from the company on May 12.
Plexiglass barriers at the exit of a Superstore are pictured. (Hafsa Arif/CTV Atlantic)
The poster was originally spotted in Ontario and have now made their way to Atlantic Canada.
“It doesn’t really make sense to me. I don’t understand what the motive is behind that. Why would anyone want to steal?” said Othman Ali, a regular shopper at Superstore.
A poster encouraging people to steal from Loblaws. (Hafsa Arif/CTV Atlantic)In the last month, online groups have promoted a boycott of the Loblaws stores during the month of May, including the Superstore locations in the Maritimes; however, they have condemned the calls for theft.
“I would say that it’s a step too far to advocate for theft and stealing. I can certainly sympathize feeling that groceries are too expensive. I think everyone feels that right now,” said Ryan Stanley, a community member in Halifax.
Marketing analyst Ed McHugh said he is not surprised by these calls.
“Pre-internet this would have a really hard time getting momentum,” he said. “The internet attracts people and people of similar minds find each other.”
CTV News reached out to Loblaws for a reaction to the circulating poster, but they did not respond to questions specific to the online threats. Instead in a statement they said, “The last few years have been tough for Canadians and we continue to do what we can to combat inflation at our stores. We’re going to keep working hard to deliver on our commitment to value and to rebuild the trust grocers have enjoyed more than 100-years.”
An Atlantic Superstore is pictured. (CTV Atlantic)Halifax Regional Police told CTV News they have not heard anything from Loblaws about concerns related to the posters and were not aware of pictures of it circulating online.
McHugh said these extra security measures to prevent thefts will only result in costs getting passed down to shoppers, which would make groceries even more expensive.
“You’ll see a gradual price increase because measures like this,” he said. “You won’t see a quick, knee-jerk kind of one because that would (raise) the ire of people up higher, but it will reflect in high prices long-term, absolutely.”
Some retailers like Costco already have policies requiring shoppers to show their receipts before exiting the store and people continue to shop there. McHugh said people tend to have issues with retailers introducing new policies but they have no choice but accept these changes.
“When retailers start to put new procedures people have a problem with it, but I think we’ve got to get used to it,” he said. “It’s got to be part of shopping. If people aren’t happy with it, they could switch retailers.”
He said companies have free enterprise, and if they believe adding security will help prevent thefts, they can implement any procedure within the law.
Some people understand the anger towards high costs and say they also know people who steal groceries regularly.
“I’ve have had people discuss with me that pennies are tight right now so they have to take some stuff and I have also seen people steal things,” said shopper Maclean Rivers.
His friend, Patrick McKay said this reflects the anger people have with large grocers.
“It just seems like the reflection of a broader popular outrage towards what appears to be super high grocery prices and corporate greed and while I personally would never steal, I can understand the sentiment,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests about relationship with Prince Harry
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they're now named Scouting America
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
New Canadian study could be a lifesaver for thousands suffering from CTE
A first-of-its-kind Canadian research study is working towards a major medical breakthrough for a brain disorder, believed to be caused by repeated head injuries, that can only be detected after death.
Rape, terror and death at sea: How a boat carrying Rohingya children, women and men capsized
In March, Indonesian officials and local fishermen rescued 75 people from the overturned hull of a boat off the coast of Indonesia. Until now, little was known about why the boat capsized.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.