If you’ve ever ducked into your local shop for something simple, you’d expect the biggest hassle to be an empty shelf or a long checkout line.

But for some communities, a quick grocery run has turned into something far more unsettling.

Stores are now locking their doors to protect both staff and customers from violent groups armed with dangerous weapons—a scene that feels more like a movie than everyday life.


Fred Harrison, the chief executive of Ritchies Supermarkets (which operates 85 IGA stores, mostly in Victoria), has sounded the alarm on a crime wave that’s costing his business a staggering $15 million a year.

Shoplifting has doubled in the past three years, and it’s not just the odd chocolate bar going missing—these are coordinated attacks, often involving weapons, and they’re leaving staff and customers shaken.


'We’ve got stores in NSW and Queensland—touch wood, we haven’t had one incident,' Harrison told reporters.

'The fact that it’s a Victorian-centric problem speaks volumes about the culture that’s beginning to build.'

CCTV footage from a recent attack at Ritchies IGA Mount Waverley paints a terrifying picture. Just before 8 am, a dark sedan pulls up.


Five youths, faces hidden by hoodies, burst into the store. Two leap over the counter, grabbing cigarettes and cash, while others scatter through the aisles.

An elderly woman flees. A brave customer tries to intervene, only to be threatened with a machete. After a few minutes of chaos, the gang flees, leaving staff and shoppers rattled.

And this isn’t a one-off. Harrison says his Victorian stores are being hit at least once a week, sometimes multiple times in a single day.

The attacks are so frequent that Ritchies has set up a WhatsApp group for 50-60 stores to warn each other when gangs are on the move.

Sometimes, stores close early or only let customers in one at a time, with a senior staff member manning the door.

According to Harrison, these 'swarming gangs' are generally aged between 12 and 18. They arrive in groups, armed with bags—and often, weapons like machetes or knives.

Their targets? Cash, cigarettes, and expensive liquor. Staff have been pushed and punched, and while no one has been seriously injured yet, the emotional toll is immense.

Some employees have even had to go on WorkCover due to the trauma.

The big question is: why now, and why Victoria? Harrison and others point the finger at what they call 'soft' bail laws and a lack of serious consequences for offenders.

Police reportedly know who many of these youths are, but even after arrest, they’re often back on the streets the same day.

'A lot of these youths have done it dozens and dozens of times,' Harrison said.

The Victorian government says it’s taking action, with new laws on the way to protect retail workers and crack down on repeat offenders.

But critics argue it’s too little, too late. Shadow Police Minister David Southwick claims businesses are being forced to take matters into their own hands because the government has 'abandoned' them.

It’s not just about lost stock or shaken nerves. The impact is being felt across the board. Staff—especially casuals—are losing hours as stores cut back to cope with lost sales.

Harrison estimates that Ritchies has had to cut $25 million from its wage budget due to lost legal tobacco sales alone.

And for customers, the experience of being locked in or out of their local shop is unsettling, to say the least.

One ABC radio presenter shared how her husband had to knock to be let into their local IGA at 6 pm—while it was still light outside.

'The whole experience was kind of surreal,' she said. 'It just made me feel really sad.'

Another factor fuelling the crime wave is the booming illicit tobacco trade, now worth about $10 billion a year nationally.

Harrison says the penalties for dealing in illegal tobacco are so light that criminals are switching from drugs to tobacco, knowing the risks are minimal.

Meanwhile, new tobacco licensing laws won’t come into effect until next year, leaving a window for these illegal operations to thrive.

In May, Victoria banned the sale of machetes, and from September, it will be illegal to own or carry one without a valid reason.

Offenders face up to two years in jail or fines of more than $47,000. The government has also promised tougher penalties for those who assault retail workers, and new bail laws are supposed to make it harder for repeat offenders to get out.

But many in the industry remain sceptical. 'You hear stories they’re tightening the legislation, but when they get into court in front of these soft judges, they’re getting slaps on the wrist and let out,' Harrison said.

For now, the advice is to stay alert and follow store protocols. If you see something suspicious, report it to staff or police.

And if you’re a staff member, remember that your safety comes first—no amount of stock is worth risking your life.

This isn’t just a problem for supermarkets—it’s a wake-up call for all of us. Our local shops are the heart of our communities, and everyone deserves to feel safe when they pop in for groceries.

Whether it’s supporting tougher laws, looking out for each other, or simply sharing your experiences, we all have a role to play.
Have you noticed changes at your local supermarket? Have you or someone you know been affected by these incidents? We’d love to hear your thoughts and stories in the comments below.

Read more: ‘We’re introducing the toughest bail laws in Australia’: What you need to know