Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — It's not too uncommon to see more valuable or most stolen items locked inside a case at certain stores but at the CVS in Harvard Square, it's reached a new extreme.
Frustrations are growing after fridges that house individual sodas and energy drinks are now behind lock and key and require an employee to open it. The move was implemented earlier this week. Customers tell WBZ NewsRadio they find it annoying.
"I also really feel bad for the employees because they look stressed," said Somerville resident Lexi, who works at Harvard.
"It's very odd, we don't have that where we're from," said a tourist visiting from out of state.
In a statement, CVS said it utilizes a variety of different measures to deter or prevent theft and locking a product is a measure of a last resort.
"Theft is a challenge for all retailers. We know keeping products locked up can be inconvenient, but it’s important that we keep products in stock and available for our customers to purchase," said Amy Thibault, the executive director of corporate communications at CVS. "Different products experience different theft rates, depending on store location and other factors, and our product protection decisions are data driven. We utilize a variety of different measures to deter or prevent theft and locking a product is a measure of last resort."
WBZ NewsRadio’s James Rojas (@JamesRojas.bsky.social) reports.