Weighted shelves are among a series of high-technology measures being trialled by an Aussie supermarket giant to crackdown on professional thieves.

Coles has begun testing several new anti-theft methods at its Highpoint West store in Melbourne's west in a bid to stamp-out career thieves by picking up on unusual customer behaviour.

High-value items including baby formula and meat are among the products held on weighted shelves in the Maribyrnong store.

If too many items are taken at once, an alarm is triggered and staff are notified to investigate.

A voice message also plays in-store, reminding shoppers of operating CCTV.

"If a customer takes one item that's a normal transaction, but if someone wants to what we call sweep and take a large quantity in one go, [a bell rings]," Col

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