I have noticed an increase in complaints about theft by shoppers in recent months, so much so that I wonder if this is a wider challenge for retailers.
My information comes from retailers I speak with and small business retail discussion groups I am part of. But it’s not that big of a pool considering the number of retail businesses in Australia.
So I pose the question today: in your business, are you noticing more theft by customers than previously?
While there are steps we can take to mitigate the situation, often they are considered only after a theft experience.
I am glad you posed this question. I am in regional NSW and here all of us retailers have been discussing it. Mainly from outsiders. I am now stocktaking ore often to get a better understanding. I think in my shop it has more than tripled this year.
I reckon theft here is double what it was last year from the small stuff like chocolate bars to gifts worth more than $100.
It feels like it is. We are suburban. Papers and magazines are the main things stolen here.