The realities of shoplifting: ‘it’s not a victimless crime’

Retail NZ represents around 70% of the annual retail turnover across Aotearoa New Zealand. I have heard terrible first-hand experiences resulting from retail crime from our members. Small retailers who have lost $80,000 of stock from burglaries, or larger stores that have been closed for hours as a result of a customer setting a fire in the store to create a diversion while they stole goods.

I’m not here to comment on the high-profile case that has brought retail crime to the forefront of conversations. But it does reinforce the feedback from retailers that retail crime does not have one face. It is committed by people of any age, gender, socio-economic status and ethnicity.

Retail crime is a significant issue in New Zealand, impacting more than 92% of retailers. In recent years we have seen a significant increase in the prevalence of brazen and violent attacks against retailers, as well as shoplifting which is the most prevalent form of retail crime, affecting 82% of retailers in 2023.

Shoplifting is at epidemic levels. Retail NZ released a crime report in October 2023 that found the cost of retail crime was well over $2.6 billion.

People shoplift for all sorts of different reasons. Although the cost-of-living crisis is often blamed for the increase in retail crime, retailers confirm that many offenders shoplift goods that are clearly unrelated to their daily basic needs. Sometimes they are shoplifting to order, sometimes to support their addictions or to gain notoriety on social media.

The vast majority (95%) of retailers are single-store owners. Some may have been in retail their whole life, while others are embarking on a new career and are excited about the opportunities.

Whatever the reason, their store is their livelihood. They don’t have a magic wand to create money, but rely on working up to seven days and often more than 60 hours a week. Retail is hard work.

Retail crime presents an increasing health and safety risk to both employees and customers, as well as threatening the financial sustainability of retail businesses.

Retail NZ members have told me they are having to spend more on security measures such as cameras and loss prevention personnel. Staff turnover is increasing due to the stress created by crime, creating additional costs in recruitment and training.

At the same time, retailers’ insurance costs are also increasing significantly. The cost of retail crime is not able to be borne by the retailer, therefore it’s a cost to the New Zealand economy, effectively making every New Zealander a victim of retail crime.

No matter how big or small, we encourage retailers to report all crime to police, to ensure that we have the tools and resources from police and the justice system to combat this growing problem.

Retail NZ is calling on the Government to adequately resource police to deal with retail crime, and to unclog the court system so that offenders are dealt with promptly. Retailers have advised that a third of all crime in their stores is committed by repeat offenders, mostly who have not yet been seen through the courts. The court system needs to be more efficient and have effective deterrents, that support not only retailers but everyone else that is doing the right thing.

We believe there is a strong case to introduce instant fines for petty offences and a stronger trespass regime.

We also want to see the introduction of new technologies to proactively combat retail crime. This could include the use of facial recognition and other technologies to identify people who have previously committed retail crime.

Finally, we ask everyone to think twice about their actions and the implications that they have. Shoplifting is not a victimless crime; it impacts everyday people, your neighbours, whānau, friends and community.