The problem of shoplifting

The 6th European Theft Barometer from the Centre for Retail Research in Nottingham reveals that the European retail sector will lose € 29 bn through shrinkage in 2006. That means the rate of shrinkage will be 1.24 per cent in 2006 in terms of retail turnover. Theft by consumers continues to represent the largest share of shrinkage at € 14.159 bn. However, when compared with last year, a slight decrease from 49.2 to 48.8 per cent was established here. Internal theft by dishonest staff rose by contrast for the second time running to € 8.925 bn. This amounts to an overall share of 30.7 per cent (2005: 29.9 per cent).