Drakes Supermarkets trials GPS trackers on luxury meat products

A South Australian supermarket chain has said “enough” to shoplifters and is resorting to an innovative new product to combat theft.

Drakes Supermarkets has taken the drastic step of attaching GPS trackers to luxury meat items in order to combat shoplifting.

7 NEWS Adelaide reported that the South Australian-owned retailer is now packing Wagyu beef and other products in a plastic container that can be pinpointed via satellite technology.

Owner John-Paul Drake said it was a necessary step to prevent theft which has cost the chain tens of thousands of dollars.

The meat products are enclosed in a plastic container fitted with a GPS tracker. Picture: 7NEWS

A staff member must unlock the container and remove the item to prevent the tracker from being activated. Picture: 7NEWS

“If someone leaves the store without it being detached, that will set off the GPS,” Mr Drake said.

“Meat is the number one thing that is stolen from our supermarkets, so to put these measures in place I feel are needed.

“Let’s not forget, 99 per cent of our customers are doing the right thing.”

Each box retails for $30, and while they are only being trialled in two stores, it may be rolled out statewide.

Drakes Supermarkets have been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Drakes Supermarkets trials GPS trackers on luxury meat products