Grocery chain Giant Food is getting a handle on bags, inspecting them upon exit at certain D.C.-area stores.
This comes after large bags and suitcases were banned from entering Giant in May in an effort to stop theft.
The new policy will still not allow bags larger than 14 inches by 14 inches by 6 inches, Giant Senior Vice President of Operations Diane Hicks told Advisory Neighborhood Commission 2G Chair Rachelle Nigro in a letter posted on X.
FYI-you might recall the @GiantFood store at 1400 7th St. NW having a bag policy where customers couldn’t bring in a shopping cart, backpacks, or excessively large bags. Please see the letter from Giant about the revised bag policy. I’ve invited Ms. Hicks to our September… pic.twitter.com/Uqv9OXQH8O
— Rachelle Nigro (@nigro4dc) August 18, 2024
“We understand that our previous policy may have inconvenienced some of our valued customers. This update reflects our ongoing efforts to ensure a more accessible shopping experience while maintaining a secure environment,” Ms. Hicks wrote to Ms. Nigro.
The new bag policy took effect at certain area stores Thursday.
“I’m not really too fond of it, but I understand why it’s in place. … It goes back to normal people who actually want to come and shop, and it’s unfortunate that bags have to be tagged,” customer Justin Simmons told D.C. NBC affiliate WRC-TV.
Another new policy, which bans those under age 18 from entering certain Giant stores after 6 p.m. unless accompanied by an adult, will go into effect Thursday.
The policies are being implemented “to mitigate the unprecedented levels of product theft that have become unsustainable for our business,” Giant said in a statement, adding that retail theft “limits product availability, creates a less convenient shopping experience, and, most critically, puts our associates and customers in harm’s way.”
Correction: A previous version of this story misstated the time of day that Giant’s curfew on unaccompanied minors at certain stores goes into effect.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
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