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By: Hellen Zaboulani
New York City shoppers are getting smart and using common sense solutions to promote safety.
As reported by the NY Post, Tiffany & Co. is offering customers a white incognito bag to conceal its signature light blue packaging, amid an increase in crime. The luxury jewelry house, established in 1837, has recognized that its opulent and distinctive packaging may unwittingly make clients a target once out on the streets of Manhattan. Tiffany isn’t the only luxury retailer taking the prudent but simple measure.
Hermès, the French luxury design house, is also offering customers the option to conceal their trademark orange shopping bag, and Cartier too is hiding its red shopping bags. “You don’t want to attract attention,” said Lavi Rudnick, 38, who works in fashion and who was out shopping at Hermès’ Madison Avenue flagship store on Friday with his wife, Julie. The couple spent close to $3,000 purchasing a handbag and a pair of scarves. Rather than flaunt their purchases out on the street, they hid their prizes in a plain white paper bag. They still took home the flashy orange bag, but it was discreetly concealed. The couple added that they are being more careful of late.
“We’re hesitant to wear nicer things — like nice watches [in public],” Julie told The Post. “I know crime is up; if I’m in the subway, I hide everything.” A Hermès employee confirmed to The Post that white bags are being offered to customers who make high priced purchases– “just for discretion, if you’re walking the streets.” Similarly, employees at both the newly reopened Tiffany & Co. flagship at 57th Street and Fifth Avenue, and at the Louis Vuitton’s Fifth Avenue flagship told The Post that white bags are available to customers who ask for them.
Per the Post, there were a whopping 148 complaints for grand larceny in just the 28 days ending May 14, in the Midtown North precinct, where Fifth Avenue retailers including Tiffany’s, Cartier and Louis Vuitton have their flagship stores. This marks a 94 percent jump over two years ago. Similarly in the 19th Precinct, which houses Madison Avenue flagships such as Hermès, there were 132 complaints in that short time—marking a 55 percent jump. Last Wednesday, NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced his administration’s plan to combat retail theft.
“So 70 stakeholders from public and private sat in a room together at Gracie Mansion and we put together the retail theft, and that’s the report that we’re going to look at today,” the mayor said. “And what’s interesting is that we had a shocking 44 percent increase from 2021 to 2022.” He noted that 327 repeat offenders were responsible for 30 percent of the thefts which resulted in 22,000 arrests in 2022.
“Stores have had no choice but to think creatively and invest in security measures, as retail theft complaints in the city have increased by 77% over the past five years,” said Melissa O’Connor, president and CEO of the Retail Council of New York State, in an email to the Post. She added, that though retailers have beefed up asset-protection protocols including trained security guards, “that alone will not solve the challenges facing retailers.” O’Connor stated, “We have spent an extraordinary amount of time as an industry focusing on solutions to reverse this trend, while also prioritizing the safety of employees and customers.”
