Report Shows Shoplifting Is A Major Problem For Irish Retailers

Retail Ireland, the IBEC group that represents the retail sector, today published a new retail crime survey that showed shoplifting, cash robberies and fraud are a major and increasing problem for Irish retailers.

Over half of retailers have experienced increased levels of crime in the last two years, with over half a billions euros (€512 million) of retail stock stolen every year. Retail Ireland called for a more pro-active and collaborative approach from Gardai and retailers and said those caught shoplifting should bear the full brunt of the law.

The survey of 33 retail companies, which have over 800 shops and employ over 67,500 people around the country, found that in the last two years:

•52% of retailers said that they have experienced an increase in crime in the last two years

•Nearly half of retailers (49%) have experienced theft of cash from their premises

•82% have suffered from shoplifting, with 39% experiencing theft of stock from employees

•Over a third (36%) have experienced refund fraud and almost half (46%) have experienced credit card or cheque fraud

•Just under one in three (30%) have experienced criminal damage

•One in three (33%) intend to increase the level of security tagging on items sold in their stores in the next 12 months.

Commenting on the issue, Retail Ireland Director Stephen Lynam said: "These findings are shocking, but not surprising. Retail crime has been on the rise since the start of the recession. Research shows that retailers' inventory loss caused by crime in Ireland at 1.43% in 2011, the equivalent value in sales of some €512 million.

"While this is significantly lower than countries like the United States (1.59%) and the Czech Republic (1.50%), it remains higher than the United Kingdom (1.37%) and Spain (1.4%). Ireland ranks an embarrassing 11th out of 22 countries in Europe for shop lifting, with employee theft accounting for over a third of the total; the highest rate in Europe.This is a staggeringly high cost, which has to be factored into retailers' pricing decisions."

(CD/GK)