Iceland introduces huge change for meat buyers in 30 stores

Supermarket is using steak dispensers to stop shoplifters from stealing prime cuts of . The dispensers have been developed with security firm Harrison Retail and so far have been rolled out in 30 Iceland and Food Warehouse stores over the UK during the past year, reported

The dispensers fit upright in the supermarket's chiller shelves and use a "controlled retrieval" flap so only one packet can be removed at a time. Currently, the dispensers are holding Iceland's 12oz and 16oz steak ranges and holds eight steaks per dispenser. Prime fresh cuts of meat have been main target for thieves and their high value meant Iceland was suffering "major losses".

By putting steak in the containers thieves cannot "sweep" multiple items from shelves. Iceland, which previously displayed fresh meat cuts in individual boxes, also claims the change makes shelves look more appealing as it could display more items.

reported that Iceland's sales of its steak lines have increased by an average of 129% since the dispensers were implemented and that food waste has reduced by 8.5%.

Andy Edwards, head of loss prevention & corporate audit, Iceland Foods, said: "Working with Harrison Group has been an exceptional experience".

He added: "We developed a chilled, retail-ready security unit specifically designed to support the sale of fresh steaks."

According to data from the British Retail Consortium's latest crime survey, there were 20 million individual incidents of theft last year. This equated to around 55,000 per day cost retailers around £2.2billion.

Iceland executive chairman Richard Walker is among several retail bosses who have criticised the police response to the shoplifting epidemic.

He has also railed against "stupid" privacy laws that prevent local stores from sharing information about known thieves.