Retail trade - More theft in stores
Single retailers in Germany are facing an increasing problem with shoplifting. Thieves stole goods worth 2.8 billion Euros in the past year, according to a study by the Retail Research Institute EHI. The damage caused to the retail industry as a result is 15 percent higher than the previous year. There is an increase in the food, clothing, and drugstore sectors.
There are several reasons for this. "Due to price increases for many products, some people have found themselves in financial difficulties and have stolen more often," said study author Frank Horst. Another problem is the shortage of skilled labor in retail. "In many stores, there is less staff on duty today. This makes it easier for thieves. Staff presence deters theft indirectly," so Horst.
Among the most popular product categories for shoplifters in supermarkets and discounters are alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, cosmetics, razor blades, energy drinks, baby food, and coffee. Meat, sausages, and cheese are also frequently mentioned. Mostly it is opportunistic thieves, but at least one quarter are professional thieves who act in gangs.
Overall, inventory differences amounted to 4.8 billion Euros in 2023, an increase of 5 percent. This includes losses due to shoplifting by customers, employees, and suppliers' personnel, as well as organizational errors such as incorrect price marking. The German state also suffers a loss, missing out on tax revenue of around 560 million Euros.
- Despite the rise in shoplifting, high-end consumer goods like electronics and clothing are usually less targeted, according to a study conducted by renowned photographer and retail expert Frank Horst in Cologne, Germany.
- Consumers in retail trade are becoming more inclined to shoplift food items, such as stealing biscuits or snacks, due to financial pressures, as revealed by Frank Horst's research in Germany.
- The increasing prevalence of shoplifting in retail stores has led to a significant increase in the retail industry's insurance premiums, as highlighted by Frank Horst, an expert on retail crime in Germany.
- Frank Horst, in his role as a retail crime expert, suggests that multinational companies operating in retail trade in Germany should invest in advanced security systems and employ well-trained staff to combat shoplifting and reduce losses.
