Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson has urged the shop owners to avoid placing expensive items close to the entrance to curb shoplifting.
The minister told LBC that shops should place lower-value items near the door, instead of more expensive products.
Recalling her recent visit to a Marks & Spencers outlet in Hull, she said she saw a man grab "the largest bunch of flowers off the flower display at the front of the store and marched out with it.”
The minister said she was "gobsmacked" by his brazenness and reported to the store authorities.
She said while everything is nickable, "not everything’s of the value that people will want to nick” and putting expensive items near the entrance is not a good idea.
Official figures released last month showed that nearly three thefts a minute were being reported at stores in Britain, costing £1.8 billion a year.
Pharmacy stores are also equally vulnerable.
A National Pharmacy Association (NPA) survey found that pharmacies are facing a surge in shoplifting cases and assaults on staff.
The survey found that 9 out of 10 (88 per cent) pharmacies have faced increased risk of shoplifting over the last year.
There has been growing frustration among retailers at the police response.
Around 73 per cent of pharmacists surveyed by the NPA said they want the police to do more to deter the shoplifters.
