Retail losses in the billions

Shoplifting is costing the retail trade dear: according to the Global Theft Barometer, a survey carried out in 32 countries by the Centre for Retail Research in Nottingham, UK, with the assistance of loss prevention specialists Checkpoint Systems of Heppenheim, Germany, the cost of retail theft comes to € 72.424 bn worldwide. Retail theft in Europe is costing retailers € 29.285 bn, which amounts to a “theft tax” of € 61.95 per consumer. The average shrinkage rate amounts to 1.26 per cent in terms of retail sales (2006: 1.24 per cent). You will be able to find a detailed article on this topic in the next issue of DIY in Europe, 1-2/08.