John-Paul Drake, boss of Drakes Supermarkets, outsmarts shoplifters by making tongue-in-cheek Instagram videos
- Grocery owner has had enough of thieves in his shop
- John-Paul Drake resorted to a unique tactic to take them out
The boss of an Australian supermarket chain has defended his unconventional approach to stopping shoplifters, more often than not arguing that it will get him justice.
Since 2021, John-Paul Drake, who runs Drakes Supermarkets, has been using sarcastic videos on Instagram to try to find those stealing from his stores.
He calls the films ‘customer magic’ – because like a magician, the customer in question makes an item ‘disappear’.
The videos have proven to be very popular and many have generated tens of thousands of views online.
An Australian supermarket chain owner has defended his practice of sharing CCTV footage of shoplifters on social media, claiming that the practice more often than not leads to prosecution.
JP Drake comments on CCTV footage of people appearing to be stealing from his supermarkets
In the clips, Mr. Drake appears in front of the CCTV footage and talks about how customers appear to stuff items into bags, pockets and, in some cases, their pants.
In one clip, as a group of young people move through a Drakes store, appearing to take items off the shelves and line their pockets, Mr. Drake comments on a member of the group, taking items off the shelves and putting them in a Cole’s bag under his hoodie.
“This guy put more stuff in that bag than Santa put in his pocket,” he said, later claiming in the video that the man had been seen in his stores five times in just one month.
Commenting on another member of the group, he says, “Look at how that eshay stuffs Ferreros in his pants.”
Although some have criticized the Adelaide businessman for his approach, Mr. Drake said A current situation he did not believe that he was mocking the needy.
“I have people saying, ‘You shouldn’t be saying this, you’re a privileged person… they’re just trying to feed their families,'” he said.
JP Drake comments on CCTV footage of people appearing to be stealing from his supermarkets
An Australian supermarket chain owner has defended his practice of sharing CCTV footage of shoplifters on social media, claiming that the practice more often than not leads to prosecution.
“They’re not trying to feed their families on wagyu and grass-fed Angus pure steaks, the produce they bring is taken and sold in other marketplaces.”
“When people are in need, go to a charitable organization to help you.”
Mr. Drake said program theft in its 65 supermarkets cost the company more than $10 million a year.