Thefts at supermarket chain Jumbo have fallen by 30% compared to the first six months of last year, thanks to extra controls and camera surveillance, the company’s half-year figures show.

Shoplifting accounted for some €100 million of company turnover over the whole of last year.

Jumbo’s policy of stricter controls at self-scan checkouts and warnings to clients that incidences of thefts will be monitored seems to have worked, Jumbo chief Ton van Veen said.

“Potential shoplifters will now think twice before they steal anything,” he told the Parool.  Van Veen said the chain would continue its experiments to combat thefts, including the “winning wheel” which customers scan spin if they are picked out for a check.

“It’s very popular”, Van Veen said. “As a reward for the delay people can win a free product. It’s our way of keeping things light and fun,” he told the paper.

Jumbo turnover in the first six months of 2024 rose by 1% to €6 billion compared to last year despite the €60 million loss on tobacco. Jumbo had removed tobacco from its shops in the run-up to the ban which came into effect on July 1.

In May, the family-run business announced it would scrap “some hundreds” of office jobs. How many jobs will go will be made clear after the summer.