Alarming trend emerges at Coles and Woolworths

A young apprentice has sparked debate after claiming everyone should be allowed to shoplift from Coles and Woolworths every now and then.

Coxy, 21, made the suggestion on The Mayfield Podcast, which he co-hosts with Jacko and Chip on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

“I think occasional shoplifting should be legal. But I’m going to put a little limit there before anyone else objects to it. Up to $10 per store,” he said.

Coxy justified this idea by pointing to the significant profits reported by the major supermarkets.

“When Coles and Woolworths are raking in record margin profits it’s like, OK, give the people what they want,” he said.

After footage of their conversation went viral, Jacko told Daily Mail Australia their conversation was more about exploring ideas “for an ideal world” than advocating shoplifting.

“We want to make it clear that we do not condone any illegal activity,” he said.

“We’re talking about what we would want to happen in an idealistic situation, because the cost of living is so high. We are all students living paycheck to paycheck.

Jacko said many young Aussies are currently struggling to afford basic necessities.

“Prices are going up and wages have stayed the same.”

He heard that people in his age group were no longer doing activities, such as sports, because they could no longer afford them.

“It’s a shame,” he said. ‘We all participate in our local football club. Everyone in today’s society knows the positive impact exercise has on mental health.

‘Having to choose what you need – food, housing, bills – and the added costs of football only adds to the stress of it all.

“We as a group recognize our privilege in being able to lean on our parents for financial support, while many others cannot.”

Many Aussies openly admitted to the podcast hosts that they had resorted to stealing from supermarket chains.

‘I easily take between €80 and €100 worth of goods with me to every store. And this is a few times a week,” one person said.

Another added: “Coles employee here. Do what you love, we don’t care enough about that (or get paid enough for it ourselves).”

‘Cheese prices are ridiculous. If it fits in my hoodie, it’s mine,” said a third person, while another bluntly said: “If it fits in my pocket, it doesn’t go on the bill.”

But others condemned the podcast hosts for their suggestion.

“Guys, they make $2.26 per $100 spent,” one person wrote.

Another explained that more stealing would lead to further price increases.

Daily Mail Australia will not tolerate theft from any supermarket chain. Theft is a criminal offense and carries a prison sentence of up to five years.

A recent Finder.com.au survey found that around 15 percent of Australians admitted to stealing in the past 12 months.

The research shows that seven percent have admitted to stealing at the self-checkout in the supermarket – an increase from five percent in October 2023.

The same percentage admitted that they had deliberately misrepresented facts.

The research also found that younger Australians were the most likely to steal, with seven percent of Generation Z admitting to leaving the supermarket without paying for an item, compared to just two percent of Generation X.

Graham Cooke, head of consumer research at Finder, said the figures are alarming.

“Many households are struggling and having to make difficult and in some cases criminal choices to cope,” he said.

Meanwhile, Coles said in its 2022-2023 annual report that shoplifting had worsened.

“Total losses have increased by around 20 percent year-on-year and remain a headwind for the entire sector, with increased levels of organized retail crime and customer theft due to cost of living pressures,” the report said.

Coles and Woolworths have been contacted for comment.