- Increase in Shoplifting Attempts by Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities Observed by Specialist
Specialists sound the alarm about increasing shoplifting risks associated with self-service checkouts in stores. "More goods are being pilfered in these outlets. Retailers are losing up to 2% of their revenue due to self-service checkouts, which is a substantial amount and significantly more than with traditional cash registers," stated Professor Stephan Rüschen, an expert in food retailing at the Dual University of Baden-Württemberg in Heilbronn. However, the risk varies notably based on location, with urban centers seeing a higher incidence of theft than rural areas. Rüschen attributes this trend to conversations with retailers and other industry insiders.
In spite of the increased shoplifting risk, Rüschen is confident that retail will continue to lean more on self-service checkouts. "The retail sector is short-staffed everywhere. Additionally, customers now demand and appreciate this service due to their unwillingness to stand in lengthy queues," he shared.
Rüschen also highlighted several proactive measures to combat the high shoplifting risk. He cited, for instance, security personnel monitoring the self-service area and exit barriers that only unlock upon scanning the cash register receipt. It's also feasible to identify, through video surveillance, if customers fail to scan items or provide false weight or fruit selection info. The retail sector is urged to advance theft prevention and detection further, according to Rüschen.
German police crime statistics reveal a surge in shoplifting incidents in stores lately. Rüschen attributes this to factors such as soaring inflation, pricing increases, and decreasing buying power, rather than the surging number of self-service checkouts where customers scan their buys.
In his research at the Dual University of Baden-Württemberg in Heilbronn, Professor Rüschen collaborated with retailers and industry insiders to gather data on shoplifting trends. Despite the higher shoplifting risk in urban centers like Heilbronn, retailers are increasingly relying on self-service checkouts due to customer demand and staffing shortages.
