Popular product sold at Coles now locked away in security bid

One of Australia’s most popular day-to-day beauty items sold at Coles is now being locked away in a security container in a bid to stop thieves.

One of the most popular day-to-day beauty items in the country is now being locked away in an antitheft container on the shelves at Coles.

Lucas’ Papaw Ointment, which is typically available in a 15g tube for $6, a 25g tube for $8.50 and a 75g tub for $16, is one of Coles’ most popular beauty items.

However, Aussie shopper Samantha Parkinson was shocked when she went to her local supermarket recently and saw that the ointment had been placed inside a security container.

“What the f***,” she said in a TikTok video, calling it “absolute madness”.

Social media users were perplexed at the item being put in the plastic security case, with many questioning why.

Samantha spotted a popular item locked away at Coles. Picture: TikTok

“Seriously though people steal these from our work all the time,” one social media user revealed.

“You’re joking,” another said.

One joked: “Do you get to keep the container?”

Another added that the inquiry, which was announced earlier this month and will see Coles and Woolworths CEOs face questions over accusations of price gouging, “cannot come soon enough”.

A Coles spokesperson said there are a number of security measures used in stores.

“While most of our customers do the right thing, unfortunately a small number don’t,” the spokeperson said.

“Coles has a range of security measures in place to reduce theft from our stores including CCTV, electronic article surveillance (EAS), and in some stores new smart gate technology that automatically opens as customers make payment for their products.”

It isn’t the first time Coles has been forced to increase security on a seemingly innocuous item.

One customer, who posts on TikTok as @TheOzLanderReturns, shared footage earlier this year of two varieties of Capilano Manuka Honey, placed under lock and key on the shelf of his local store. At the time the 340g bottles were being sold for $26, reduced from $30.

“So apparently, this is what we’ve come to as a country. The honey is in a protective container,” he said in the clip.

“So is this one [showing another bottle]. I only just noticed that. I mean, you charge $30 for a packet of honey, what do you expect?”

It was Lucas' Papaw ointment. Picture: TikTok

“I don’t know what’s more ridiculous – it being in the safe thing or it being $26 on SPECIAL,” one commented.

Others pointed out that, given how much the popular honey variety typically retails for, it wasn’t that surprising.

“I mean it is $30+ manuka, basically medicinal level, that’s usually really expensive,” one shopper commented.

“Manuka honey has always been like this. It’s often [sold as] empty containers you swap at the [checkout for a full one], or they are behind the counter at the chemist. Not new,” another added.

Manuka honey’s antibacterial properties are what sets it apart from traditional honey – popular for its antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.