QuikTrip Implements Changes To Tulsa Stores To Prevent Shoplifting

People are noticing changes at Tulsa QuikTrips around town, like side entrances at some stores now closed and locked. QT says these changes are designed to cut down on theft and keep employees and customers safe. QT says employee and customer safety is its top priority.

Voters approved State Question 780 in Oklahoma in 2017, which made all thefts under a thousand dollars misdemeanor. OSBI statistics show since then, shoplifting cases have more than tripled, from around 4,000 to more than 13,000.

QuikTrip as a company is frustrated, dealing with an increase in theft and crime around its stores because the company loses money, and it puts employees and customers in danger. But QuikTrip says it is a nationwide problem, and the company is trying some new solutions.

In 2023, we told you about Tulsa Police arresting Joshua Lane after they say he stole $3,500 worth of beer from area QuikTrips in 17 days. Lane was given a two-year deferred sentence.

QuickTrip has made recent changes to stores to cut down on theft, like closing the side entrances at about a dozen of its Tulsa stores.

"These are some pretty minor modifications we are making to the store here to disrupt the opportunity for crimes to occur in or around, but it really enhances the overall experience for our customers,” said Michael Junk, the manager for government and public relations for QuikTrip.

The National Association of Convenience Stores, which includes QuikTrip, says the amount of money lost per month, per store, to theft has more than doubled since 2020. QT has put locks on its beer coolers at some stores, and people have to scan their IDs before the doors will open. Some stores have been restructured to make it harder for people to steal, and the registers have been moved to the middle of the store so employees can better see their surroundings. QT also hires armed security. 

"It is not unique to QuikTrip. Every business in Tulsa is experiencing a number of challenges, as it relates to homelessness, substance abuse, folks that are suffering from a mental health crisis,” said Junk.

QT says it's trying to take a proactive approach to finding solutions and recently announced it's donating $8 million this year to various nonprofits, like the Tulsa Day Center.

"We are very intentional on the dollars we are investing. I would say we are targeting organizations that are focused on treatment-first solutions,” said Junk.

Junk says QT is partnering with law enforcement and prosecutors to go after repeat offenders.

"We want to get folks who need help, help and the ones who are going to continue to commit crimes need to be faced with the necessary and appropriate consequences,” said Junk.

The company says it has already seen a big impact from some of these changes in just the last six months.