According to Block Club Chicago, a Walgreens store in Chicago has been redesigned, limiting customer access to only two aisles of products beyond anti-theft detectors.
Most merchandise in the store, located at 2 E. Roosevelt Road in the South Loop area, has been moved behind staffed counters. Customers can now digitally browse and shop for these items through interactive kiosks.
A sign at the store instructs shoppers to “place your order and relax” while store staff retrieves the requested items from shelves that are not accessible to the public.
“Let us do the shopping,” the sign states, according to reports.
Walgreens in Chicago unveils anti-theft store in response to shoplifting
There are only 2 aisles in the entire store
Everything else needs to be ordered at a virtual kiosk pic.twitter.com/ebDwAt8hmf
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) June 2, 2023
In a statement to Block Club Chicago, Walgreens spokesperson Megan Boyd explained that the store continues to provide the same range of products as before “just with a new look and feel that focuses on shopping digitally for convenience.”
“We are testing a new experience at this store with new concepts, technologies and practices to enhance the experiences of our customers and team members,” she added.
According to Block Club Chicago, the store has self-checkout stations for various items including groceries, bandages, and medications. Additionally, the store features a pharmacy.
Megan Boyd informed Block Club Chicago that this unique “store test” is the first of its kind. The decision to implement these changes follows Walgreens Boots Alliance’s statement earlier this year to analysts, acknowledging the possibility of overstating concerns about retail theft in 2022. As a result, the company is reducing its reliance on private security guards.
Staff