The Association of Convenience Stores 2024 Crime report is out, and we at C-Talk find it important to shed even more light on the alarming rise of illegal activities within our sector, regardless of how much attention is brought consistently to the topic already.
Retail Crime not only harms the affected businesses but also has far-reaching consequences for the overall economy, as according to the report, 67% of retailers believe that that cost-of-living crisis has led to an increase in theft.
According to industry reports, the cost of retail crime is estimated to be in the billions annually, with businesses facing the burden of lost revenue, increased security measures, and rising insurance premiums.
For retailers, the consequences of retail crime extend beyond financial losses.
The constant threat of theft and fraud erodes trust in the retail environment, leading to increased security measures, which can negatively impact the shopping experience for law-abiding customers.
Moreover, the need to invest in loss prevention measures diverts resources that could be used to enhance product offerings or improve customer service.
“Convenience stores are the heartbeat of local communities,” Sue Nithyanandan, owner of Costcutter Epsom, states within the Crime Report, “Verbal abuse and anti-social behaviour frightens customers and can make our communities feel unsafe.”
With 76,000+ incidents of violence estimated within the sector, as well as over 6,100 estimated incidents of robbery, retail crime can no doubt create a divide between retailers and their community.
While retailers bear the brunt of retail crime, consumers also suffer the consequences. As businesses grapple with losses, they often pass on the financial burden to customers through higher prices.
Additionally, the need for increased security measures, such as surveillance systems and anti-theft devices, can create an atmosphere of suspicion and inconvenience for shoppers.
Susan Connolly, retailer over at Connolly Spar, spoke to us about retail crime and preventative measures after her store had been broken into with the use of axes.
“It’s going to happen,” she said, “But prevention is what matters.”
While the rate of shop theft is usually assumed to be organised crime or repeat offenders, the 2024 Crime Report actually notes that a opportunists play a significant part in it, too.
Susan tells us, “We used to have kids come in and steal until we teamed up with the local school. If we catch them stealing, we alert the school, and the punishment is that the kids sweep outside the shop.”
After a recent incident where Susan’s store was robbed £50 worth of laundry goods to be put towards a raffle prize on Facebook, she has since resorted to using social media to aid in catching the culprit.
“Definitely go to the police, but make use of being online,” she says, “The community will know who it is, or at least somebody will. In 45 minutes, we caught who’d stolen the laundry goods. 45 minutes as opposed to days, weeks.”
“By posting on Facebook, it shows that we know. That we see it. The lady who stole the goods rang up straight after she was identified, offering to pay for the goods and then some.”
Our tip for retailers is to refer to the ACS Crime Report if unsure, as it contains useful statistics, figures and quotes from people within the industry.
To know what to look out for and how to deal with certain situations that may arise is important, as well as ensuring your wellbeing and your staff’s wellbeing is prioritised first.
To view ACS’ 2024 Crime Report, Click Here.
