May 6, 2010

I received and email from a KAKE viewer who wants to know what is the most shoplifted item from Wichita grocery and retail stores? Good question.

Giant stores, lots of people and tons of stuff. Wal-Mart’s losses alone due to the five-finger discount are estimated in the billions of dollars every year.

But what are the most popular shoplifted items? A recent list compiled by Seth Figerman of mainstreet.com is interesting.

Topping the list in the United States for 2009 was meat. Those expensive razor blades are in the top ten most shoplifted items. Cosmetics, perfumes, infant formula and watches also on the list.

Big ticket items like GPS units and Nintendo Wii gaming systems made the cut nationally too.

What about stores in Wichita? According to a long time security expert who works with area grocery and retail stores, the number one item shoplifted in the Wichita area is, believe it or not, Preparation H.