Unauthorized withdrawals from bank accounts have significantly increased.
At Pharmacies, Clothing Stores, or Supermarkets: Many Retailers Have Introduced Self-Scanning Payment Stations Lately, Reducing Staff But Apparently Boosting Shoplifting.
Self-checkout payment stations are blamed for an increased shoplifting problem in retail stores, according to experts. "Over two times as much merchandise is stolen in stores with self-checkout machines. Retailers can lose up to two percent of their sales revenue due to self-checkout, which is a substantial loss and far more than traditional checkouts," remarked Professor Stefan Rüschen from the Dual University of Baden-Württemberg in Heilbronn. However, the risk varies depending on the location, with cities showing a higher risk than rural areas. Rüschen based his comments on discussions with retailers and industry professionals.
Despite the increased risk, Rüschen believes that retailers will continue to rely on self-checkout machines more in the future. "There's a severe staff shortage in retail businesses all over. And now, customers prefer and expect this self-service option because they dislike waiting in long lines," he said.
Rüschen suggested several preventative measures against the high shoplifting rate. These measures include security personnel monitoring the self-checkout area, and exit doors that won't open unless the cashier receipt is scanned. Some advanced technologies, like using video analysis, can accurately determine if customers override the scanning system, falsify weights, or manipulate fruit selection. Rüschen encouraged retailers to continually enhance and refine their shoplifting prevention and detection strategies.
The German police crime statistics suggest a rise in shoplifting across the country. Rüschen attributes this trend not to the surge in self-checkout machines but to high inflation, escalating prices, and falling purchasing power.
The introduction of self-checkout stations has been linked to an increase in shoplifting incidents, leading some retailers to lose up to 2% of their sales revenue due to theft. Moreover, the professor suggested implementing measures such as security personnel monitoring self-checkout areas and using advanced technologies to detect theft.
