Desperate times call for desperate measures—the hidden reason behind Christmas shoplifting
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The festive season often brings a mix of excitement and challenges for businesses, but this year has been unlike any other.
Retailers across Australia are grappling with unexpected trends and rising concerns that are shaking up their busiest time of year.
As issues such as skyrocketing living costs and surging retail theft become more prevalent, businesses are facing an uphill battle.
Australia’s retailers prepared for more than the typical Christmas rush this year as the festive season collided with surging living costs, tighter household budgets, and an unprecedented spike in retail theft.
This troubling trend threatened to push many businesses to breaking point.
A noticeable shift in criminal behaviour emerged, with offenders becoming increasingly bold.
Rather than making a quick getaway, thieves maintained direct eye contact with staff as they walked out with stolen goods.
Recent events at shopping centres highlighted a troubling rise in verbal threats involving weapons. This pattern repeated across bottle shops and supermarkets nationwide.
Bunnings released confronting footage of attacks on their workers while defending their use of facial recognition technology, which was found to breach customers' privacy.
A 19-year-old Woolworths worker admitted 40 per cent of their interactions were now ‘outright abusive’, with the major supermarket’s former CEO sending an open letter decrying the rising acts of violence.
In New South Wales, retail theft surged by 38 per cent over two years.
Victoria faced a similarly dire situation with a 39 per cent increase, bringing total incidents to 28,174.
Queensland recorded 26,229 shoplifting offences, marking a 28 per cent jump and setting a record high.
South Australia and Western Australia experienced similar trends.
Even more startling was the profile of offenders. Parents, often with children in tow, were caught stealing everyday items like steak, grocery products, and snack foods, using strollers and shopping bags for concealment.
Police estimated up to 40 per cent of offenders were first-time thieves.
“These aren’t professional criminals; they’re desperate people making devastating choices,” observed Scott Taylor, founder and CEO of Praesidium Risk and Resilience.
In analysing retail crime, Scott Taylor identified six distinct types of shoplifters:
“What’s changing is the rapid growth in that first category – people stealing out of perceived necessity – particularly among parents and the elderly who never imagined themselves crossing this line,” Taylor explained.
He also noted that this rise in theft hit small and medium-sized retailers particularly hard. What should have been their golden season instead became a time of escalating staffing costs and razor-thin margins further eroded by losses.
The impact extended beyond financial strain. When confronted, many shoplifters reacted with shame and embarrassment, often leading to aggressive behaviour.
Retail workers, many of them casual staff earning modest wages, faced increasingly dangerous situations.
Major supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths responded with enhanced anti-theft measures. Staff began wearing body cameras, and gates were installed to close on suspected shoplifters.
However, Taylor argued these measures alone weren’t enough.
“The solution isn’t more cameras or confrontation,” he said. “First, we need to rethink customer service. People with good intentions want to be noticed; people with bad intentions don’t. Giving them attention means the staff are more aware.”
Taylor also stressed the importance of store design. “Simple layout, lighting, and visibility changes can dramatically reduce theft opportunities,” he explained.
Training staff to recognise behavioural indicators and handle confrontations safely was equally vital. “We must invest in our people,” he added.
As the festive season unfolded, retailers are facing the challenge of protecting their businesses while maintaining the spirit of compassion that defined the holidays.
With more Australians facing financial pressure, many are turning to theft as a desperate measure.
In a previous story, we examined how this rise in shoplifting is impacting retailers across the country and what it means for both businesses and shoppers.
To learn more about the growing trend and its implications, read the full article here.
With theft on the rise and customer service being redefined, how can businesses better protect their staff and bottom lines while still fostering a welcoming environment? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Retailers across Australia are grappling with unexpected trends and rising concerns that are shaking up their busiest time of year.
As issues such as skyrocketing living costs and surging retail theft become more prevalent, businesses are facing an uphill battle.
Australia’s retailers prepared for more than the typical Christmas rush this year as the festive season collided with surging living costs, tighter household budgets, and an unprecedented spike in retail theft.
This troubling trend threatened to push many businesses to breaking point.
A noticeable shift in criminal behaviour emerged, with offenders becoming increasingly bold.
Rather than making a quick getaway, thieves maintained direct eye contact with staff as they walked out with stolen goods.
Recent events at shopping centres highlighted a troubling rise in verbal threats involving weapons. This pattern repeated across bottle shops and supermarkets nationwide.
Bunnings released confronting footage of attacks on their workers while defending their use of facial recognition technology, which was found to breach customers' privacy.
A 19-year-old Woolworths worker admitted 40 per cent of their interactions were now ‘outright abusive’, with the major supermarket’s former CEO sending an open letter decrying the rising acts of violence.
In New South Wales, retail theft surged by 38 per cent over two years.
Victoria faced a similarly dire situation with a 39 per cent increase, bringing total incidents to 28,174.
Queensland recorded 26,229 shoplifting offences, marking a 28 per cent jump and setting a record high.
South Australia and Western Australia experienced similar trends.
Even more startling was the profile of offenders. Parents, often with children in tow, were caught stealing everyday items like steak, grocery products, and snack foods, using strollers and shopping bags for concealment.
Police estimated up to 40 per cent of offenders were first-time thieves.
“These aren’t professional criminals; they’re desperate people making devastating choices,” observed Scott Taylor, founder and CEO of Praesidium Risk and Resilience.
In analysing retail crime, Scott Taylor identified six distinct types of shoplifters:
- The desperate stealing out of necessity
- The inexperienced opportunist
- The thrill-seeker
- The ‘booster’ stealing to resell
- The kleptomaniac
- The absent-minded
“What’s changing is the rapid growth in that first category – people stealing out of perceived necessity – particularly among parents and the elderly who never imagined themselves crossing this line,” Taylor explained.
He also noted that this rise in theft hit small and medium-sized retailers particularly hard. What should have been their golden season instead became a time of escalating staffing costs and razor-thin margins further eroded by losses.
The impact extended beyond financial strain. When confronted, many shoplifters reacted with shame and embarrassment, often leading to aggressive behaviour.
Retail workers, many of them casual staff earning modest wages, faced increasingly dangerous situations.
Major supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths responded with enhanced anti-theft measures. Staff began wearing body cameras, and gates were installed to close on suspected shoplifters.
However, Taylor argued these measures alone weren’t enough.
“The solution isn’t more cameras or confrontation,” he said. “First, we need to rethink customer service. People with good intentions want to be noticed; people with bad intentions don’t. Giving them attention means the staff are more aware.”
Taylor also stressed the importance of store design. “Simple layout, lighting, and visibility changes can dramatically reduce theft opportunities,” he explained.
Training staff to recognise behavioural indicators and handle confrontations safely was equally vital. “We must invest in our people,” he added.
As the festive season unfolded, retailers are facing the challenge of protecting their businesses while maintaining the spirit of compassion that defined the holidays.
With more Australians facing financial pressure, many are turning to theft as a desperate measure.
In a previous story, we examined how this rise in shoplifting is impacting retailers across the country and what it means for both businesses and shoppers.
To learn more about the growing trend and its implications, read the full article here.
With theft on the rise and customer service being redefined, how can businesses better protect their staff and bottom lines while still fostering a welcoming environment? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
