A top supermarket executive recently remarked about the wide range of personal care products under lock and key. “We don’t lock up steaks,” he says. “We wouldn’t sell any. Why are beauty products under wraps?”Beauty is just one of the categories America’s drug, discount, supermarket, and even specialty beauty stores are merchandising in security cases that require assistance to procure. From Tide to Tom Ford fragrances, retailers are locking up more merchandise to combat “sweepers” who nab products off shelves to resell, but also to curb an uptick in pilferage retailers noticed during COVID and, more recently, linked to the soaring cost of goods.For decades, high-theft merchandise like pricey perfumes have been under wraps on retail shelves—especially in neighborhoods associated with higher shoplifting rate. Over the last year, the lockdowns expanded to more markets and merchandise. Vitamins, collagen powders, shaving needs, detergent, oral care, eye care, makeup, OTC medications, cough syrups, and test kits are among categories where shoppers must seek assistance to purchase. Eyebrows were raised when a shopper at a Duane Reade in Manhattan’s Port Authority tweeted an image of Spam in a sealed antitheft container. New York Magazine published a story about a thief who frequently boosted armfuls of L’Oréal, RoC, and No7 from shelves at CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid. These types of stolen goods are often resold online or in salons.“I was in a CVS the other day and I couldn’t believe what was locked up. I understand razors, perfume and high-end masks in skin but Dove?