A young apprentice has sparked a debate after claiming that everyone should be allowed to shoplift from Coles and Woolworths from time to time.
Coxy, 21, made the suggestion on The Mayfield Podcast, which he co-hosts with Jacko and Chip on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
—I think occasional shoplifting should be legal. But I’m going to draw a little line before anyone else objects. Up to $10 per store,” she said.
Coxy justified this idea by pointing out the significant profits made by large supermarkets.
Coles posted a profit of $1.1 billion in its latest full-year results, while Woolworths saw its annual profit rise to $1.6 billion.
“When Coles and Woolworths make record profit margins, it’s like, okay, give the people what they want,” he said.
After footage of their argument went viral, Jacko told WhatsNew2Day Australia their conversation was more about exploring ideas “for an ideal world”, rather than advocating shoplifting.
Coxy, a young apprentice from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, has sparked an online debate for suggesting everyone should be allowed to shoplift from Coles and Woolworths from time to time.
After footage from their podcast went viral, Coxy’s partner Jacko (pictured) told WhatsNew2Day Australia the trio were only speaking hypothetically and his suggestion was ironic.
“We want to make it clear that we do not tolerate any illegal activity,” he said.
‘We are talking about what we would like to happen in an idealistic situation because the cost of living is very high. We are all apprentices who live paycheck to paycheck.
Jacko said many young Australians were struggling to make ends meet right now.
“Prices are going up and wages have stayed the same.”
He heard from people his age that they were losing out on activities, such as sports, because they could no longer afford it.
“It’s embarrassing,” he said. ‘We all participate in our local football club. Everyone in today’s society knows the positive impact that physical exercise has on mental health.
“Having to choose what you need (food, accommodation, bills) with the added costs of football just adds to the stress of it all.”
“We, as a group, recognize our privilege of being able to count on the financial support of our parents, while many others cannot.”
The Australians openly admitted to the podcast hosts that they had resorted to shoplifting from supermarkets.
Many Australians openly admitted to the podcast hosts that they had been resorting to theft from supermarket chains.
‘I’m easily buying $80 to $100 worth of products per store. And this is a couple of times a week,” said one.
Another added: ‘Coles worker here. Do what you want, we don’t care enough (or get paid enough) to care.’
‘Cheese prices are ridiculous. If it fits in my hoodie, it’s mine,” a third person said, while another bluntly stated, “If it fits in my pocket, it won’t go on the bill.”
But others condemned the podcast hosts for their suggestion.
“Guys, you earn $2.26 for every $100 spent,” one wrote.
Another explained that more thefts would lead to further price increases.
WhatsNew2Day Australia does not tolerate theft in any supermarket chain. Theft is a criminal offense and can carry a sentence of up to five years in prison.
A recent Finder.com.au survey found that around 15 per cent of Australians have admitted to stealing in the last 12 months.
A recent Finder.com.au survey found that around 15 per cent of Australians have admitted to stealing in the last 12 months.
The research found that seven per cent admitted to stealing from supermarket self-checkouts, up from five per cent in October 2023.
The same proportion confessed to having intentionally misrepresented the scanned items.
The research also found that younger Australians were more likely to shoplift: seven per cent of Generation Z admitted to leaving the supermarket without paying for an item, in contrast to just two per cent of Generation X.
Graham Cooke, head of consumer research at Finder, said the figures were alarming.
“Many households are struggling and are having to make difficult and, in some cases, criminal decisions to deal with the situation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Coles said in its annual report for 2022-23 that theft had worsened.
“Total losses increased by approximately 20 per cent year on year and remain a drag on the entire industry, with high levels of organized retail crime and customer theft due to cost of living pressures,” he said.
Coles and Woolworths have been contacted for comment.
