Customers are stealing shopping baskets instead of buying bags in New Jersey

"several grocery stores across the state report unprepared customers are flouting basic shopping rules and common decency by stealing handheld baskets."

Is there no security at all in US shops? Isn't there a "bagger" usually? Nobody sees people putting stuff back in the shopping basket instead of plastic bags?

I couldn't leave with a shopping basket from a store even if I tried in Italy, but also since the plastic bag ban most of the people I see bring their own reusable cloth bag so it's not even an issue.

I think it's a viral meme. This evening of writing, I noticed 2 students at UT walking along the main campus path with red Target baskets full of stuff. Potentially robbing the place too since theft isn't prosecuted. I lived in the same building as a sales manager who is a bit off who takes pride in robbing Whole Foods regularly. Could all be anecdotal happenstance but I wonder if civilization unravels with apathy and suspension of enforcement.

They could probably help prevent this by selling better reusable cloth bags. Bigger, sturdier, and with quality handles. If handbasket theft wasn't much of an issue when people could get plastic bags they just need to have an option that's at least that useful.

The cloth bags I usually see are too small and shallow. The other issue I have with them is that you have to remember to have them with you. Stores should have them easily available at the entrance and the checkout for people who forget.

I'm glad the stores around me still have plastic bags tho. I reuse them all the time, mostly as either bags (if they are good quality) or trash liners. I'd have to pay for plastic bags if I couldn't reuse the ones I get from the store.

Not that I'm not paying for them now, the cost for those bags is just factored into the food prices I pay. I wonder if anyone has looked at food prices in places where they've banned plastic bags to see if they went down after stores were no longer constantly having to buy all those plastic bags.

I went to college about a kilometer from a Safeway. There were Safeway carts to be seen here and there around campus. I did take one once, after my roommate drove off on an errand and did not come back. I hope I returned it, but don't remember.

Then I moved to the East Coast, and found that one simply could not get shopping carts out of the store area--they had tall poles that wouldn't go under a bar the porch ceiling.

Is there something rocket-scientific about putting those anti-shoplifting tags on baskets ? Asking for a friend.