Canadian retail’s security crackdown on violent theft
Jan 24, 2025
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In this installment, Susan Krashinsky Robertson, a retailing reporter from the Globe, dives into the alarming rise of organized retail theft in Canada. She discusses the shift from petty theft to violent crime and the serious toll it's taking on businesses. With police and retailers struggling to keep up, Susan highlights the complexities of public sentiment towards theft, especially in light of economic challenges. From online marketplaces fueling this issue to the risks facing retail workers, it's a thought-provoking exploration of a pressing social concern.
Retail theft in Canada has surged to $9.1 billion annually, revealing a troubling rise in organized and violent theft incidents.
Employees face increasing danger and turnover due to violent encounters during thefts, forcing retailers to enhance security while maintaining a welcoming environment.
Deep dives
Rising Costs of Retail Theft
Retail theft in Canada has escalated to a staggering $9.1 billion annually, a significant increase from the estimated $5 billion in 2018. This rise reflects not just more incidents of shoplifting, but large-scale thefts often orchestrated by organized crime groups. Retailers are alarmed by the aggressive nature of these thefts, which can involve groups of individuals sweeping shelves clean. The increase in violent encounters during these incidents raises serious concerns about safety for both employees and consumers.
The Scope of Targeted Theft
The nature of the items being stolen has diversified, extending beyond traditional high-value goods like electronics to include everyday products such as cheese, butter, and meats. Thieves utilize sophisticated techniques, such as employing booster bags lined with tinfoil to bypass security measures. Furthermore, many of these stolen items are resold online, sometimes in organized operations, highlighting the growing complexity of retail theft schemes. This trend places additional strain on law enforcement and raises questions about the efficacy of current retail security measures.
Impact on Retail Workers and Businesses
The increase in retail theft has deeply affected employees, with reports of rising violence against staff and a growing number of workers choosing to leave the industry altogether. Small businesses, often lacking the resources of larger chains, face significant financial repercussions from theft, leading to increased security costs and potential price hikes for consumers. Many retailers are implementing new security measures, including in-house security guards and enhanced surveillance systems, to combat theft incidents. However, finding a balance between effective security and a welcoming shopping environment remains a critical challenge for businesses.
When we think of shoplifting, we often picture teens getting caught at the mall stealing lip gloss, or people bypassing the scanner at the grocery self-checkout. But in recent years, retail theft has gotten more serious, and much more organized.
Stores are facing an uptick in targeted, large-scale stealing, with a growing number becoming violent.
Globe retailing reporter, Susan Krashinsky Robertson, explains how much this increase is costing Canadian businesses, what police and retailers are doing about it, and why some people have complicated feelings around this kind of crime.