Walgreens has been accused of “racial profiling” after launching a new anti-theft format for a store in crime-infested Chicago.
A South Loop Walgreens unveiled a renovated interior to stop rampant theft in Chicago where most of the merchandise is kept away from customers who will have to order at a kiosk and pay before they can touch the goods.
Despite the obvious need to defend the store from crime, some residents are not happy and claim Walgreens is racially profiling customers by trying to prevent theft.
Jacoby Gunn, said: “I don’t understand why they had to move everything to the back at just this store.
“There’s crime everywhere. It’s racial profiling.
“Why don’t you trust your customers?”
Because Chicago politicians will not arrest and jail criminals so they are roaming free in that city shooting, robbing, and thieving as they see fit.
Gunn should be happy the store is still open as many others have been forced to close.
Walgreens spokesperson Megan Boyd said Walgreens is “testing a new experience at this store with new concepts, technologies, and practices to enhance the experiences of our customers and team members.
“It will continue to offer retail products and pharmacy services, just with a new look and feel that focuses on shopping digitally for convenience.
“Inside the store, customers will find an area where they can pick up orders, digital kiosks for placing an order, as well as an area to shop for essential items.”
“This redesigned store will have the latest in e-commerce offerings to increase customer service, mitigate theft, and increase safety for our customers and employees,” the company said in an email to a resident who was concerned that the location was closing permanently.
A brand new Walgreens features the company’s latest anti-theft design in the Loop. There are exactly two rows of touchable merchandise. Everything else must be ordered via kiosk.https://t.co/7HK4ThN3A3
— CWBChicago (@CWBChicago) June 1, 2023
Customer Sirak Goitom said:
“The way it was set up before, it was easier to move in and out.
“I don’t think this is good for business.
“And security can’t be that much better if there’s self-checkout.”
Mu Ergin, a South Loop resident said the store was “dirty, smelly and not properly organized.”
“I’m pretty amazed at how the store looks more clean now.
“They’re making it smaller so they can control it better.
“It’s better for me, but I never felt unsafe to start with.”
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