If you have ever noticed a cashier automatically opening your egg carton before scanning it, the reason is not what you might think. According to Marie Claire, egg cartons are a well-known hiding spot for shoplifted items in retail stores.
Small products such as cosmetics, batteries, and other compact goods can easily be concealed inside a carton without being visible from the outside. For this reason, many stores instruct cashiers to check the contents of every egg carton before a customer leaves. The publication noted the rule is especially important in stores with self-checkout lanes.
Experts also suggest shoppers open the carton themselves before reaching the checkout. One reason is practical: a single cracked egg can contaminate the rest. But there is a second reason too. The publication warned that if someone else has hidden an item inside the carton and the shopper fails to notice, they could end up in an awkward situation at the register, appearing to be attempting to leave without paying for that item.
