Shoppers at the USC Village Target noticed Wednesday that the store increased its use of locked glass casing to prevent customers from obtaining certain merchandise without employee aid. While previously, only medicines like Flonase and some razors were locked behind casing, products like toothpaste, shampoo and CVS-brand medicines now require an employee key to access.

The news comes as retailers face a whopping $112 billion in retail losses due to shoplifting last year, according to a survey released by the National Retail Federation on Tuesday. Many retailers are spending more on loss prevention, use of third-party security personnel and employee workplace violence training.

Los Angeles was the metro area most affected by organized retail crime, followed by San Francisco and Oakland. Target announced Tuesday it plans to close more than nine locations in major cities due to the increase in thefts and violence in stores, including three in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Shoppers like Rocky Fox, a USC alum who graduated in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in classical trombone performance, found it odd that some of these products are now less accessible to consumers.

“I thought this lot of stuff was still over-the-counter,” Fox said. “I’m not quite sure why it’s locked up. Also, deodorant’s locked up and I don’t really get that … I just don’t understand.”

Fox said his shopping experience on Wednesday wasn’t exceedingly disturbed, but he could see how the change might result in shopping delays in the future.

“I can definitely see it slowing down traffic and making wait times longer, because if you have more people just waiting to buy regular things that you need every day, like razors or deodorant, it’ll take longer for people to go and get those items than it used to,” he said.

Many Target stores across Los Angeles have put more items behind locked cases after a spike in smash-and-grab thefts over the summer. (Jennifer Nehrer / Daily Trojan)

Ethan Schneider, a freshman majoring in industrial and systems engineering, noticed last week that a face care product he used to buy is now behind a locked case. Schneider opted to buy a different product. Like Fox, Schneider said the locked cases have the potential to slow down business.

“It definitely makes it inconvenient for students if they’re just trying to get their products, and I’m not sure if that outweighs the benefits,” Schneider said.

Schneider is aware the locked cases are part of a trend in securing merchandise because of increased theft, but he doesn’t think the actions Target have taken are justifiable, since people who are determined to steal will probably continue to do so.

“The reason they’re doing it might be because homeless people want to take hygiene products, just so they can get clean,” Schneider said. “If that’s actually the reason, it’s pretty immoral.”

Jason Hoang, a sophomore majoring in pharmacology and drug development, did not notice the glass cases while shopping Wednesday and said he wasn’t sure why Target felt the need to install them.

“I find it really interesting that some items that should be accessible are getting locked up as well,” Hoang said. “I don’t think that’s the right choice, but I can understand if some over-the-counter drugs can potentially be abused and therefore are getting locked up as well.”

It’s likely the best available strategy Target can employ to combat shoplifting, Hoang said, but he is still concerned the longer wait times could cause problems.

“It’s a barrier for people who just simply need some essential items, including medication,” he said.

Target Media Relations did not respond to the Daily Trojan’s request for comment.