A Meny supermarket in Faxe, Denmark has banned customers from using personal bags and prams as shopping carts. Store owner Henrik Thimgaard made the decision after shoplifting increased by 30% in just one month.
Thimgaard explained that thieves often hide stolen goods in their own bags and containers. "We had to do this because so many items are being stolen," he said in a statement. "A few people ruin it for everyone else.
National statistics show shoplifting reports increased 79% from Q3 2021 to Q3 2025. In Denmark, supermarkets like Meny are often locally owned franchises that serve as community grocery stores.
Thimgaard estimates his staff caught 30% more shoplifters in the past 30 days. He believes rising food prices have made customers more likely to steal.
Surprisingly, thieves target non-essential items rather than basic groceries. "It's not bread and potatoes - it's hair dye, chips and that sort of thing," Thimgaard noted. "Items people don't need for survival.
The new rules don't prohibit bringing bags or prams into the store. Customers just cannot use them to carry shopping items. Thimgaard said the policy addresses both intentional theft and accidental non-payment.
"Our big challenge is that people shopping with their own bags don't always take all items out at checkout," he explained. "They leave some in the bottom, whether consciously or unconsciously.
The store owner acknowledges the inconvenience, especially for parents with prams. "I understand the problem of pushing a pram while also handling a shopping cart," Thimgaard said.
He makes exceptions for customers who ask permission first. One customer received approval to use her completely closed pram for shopping.
This situation reflects how ordinary businesses are adapting to changing consumer behavior during economic pressures. The store's practical solution shows how local shops are balancing security with customer convenience.