Theft costs shops up to one billion euros every year

For some time now, commerce sector operators have felt that shoplifting, theft and robbery have clearly been increasing in stores. The Finnish Commerce Federation commissioned a report in order to get a better overall picture of the situation. The report’s tracking period was the year 2022, during which time data was collected from retail trade companies specifically on product losses that had been identified as thefts.

“It is easier to talk about the trade sector’s challenges related to theft now that the matter has been investigated and individual experiences have been confirmed by a more extensive report,” says Terhi Kuljukka-Rabb, Chief Policy Adviser at the Finnish Commerce Federation.

Up to one billion euros per year is lost due to theft and preventive measures

According to the report, the value of stolen goods amounts to half a billion euros a year, with another half a billion euros spent by shops on measures to prevent theft and shoplifting.

The report was commissioned by the Finnish Commerce Federation’s security committee. The study was conducted through questionnaires and interviews. Statistics Finland’s public data were also utilised.

“The amount of losses from theft in retail businesses was determined by asking the questions as accurately as possible, so that other types of unidentified losses were excluded from the answers and all respondents reported the matter in a uniform manner. In this sense, the research is more accurate than before,” says Kuljukka-Rabb.

In terms of product range, the results of the report reflect the retail sector quite extensively, with the exception of a few fields.

“The results are indicative in the sense that it is difficult to identify all of the cost impacts, particularly those related to preventive measures and the handling of suspected criminal cases,” Kuljukka-Rabb clarifie22s.

New legislation to tackle shoplifting

If a shoplifter is about to be caught before they leave the store, there is always a risk that the situation may become violent or threatening.

“Shoplifters often carry with them items designed to harm others, and they do not hold back from using those items. Serious situations occur all too often nowadays,” says Kuljukka-Rabb.

Employers have an obligation to ensure the safety of their staff, and the work towards that end is ongoing. The “let’s talk things through” approach is not always enough.

The trade sector expects to get relief for the most difficult situations from the new legislation through the so-called company restraining order, as a new, robust means of intervening in severe cases of repeated troublemaking is sorely needed. The introduction of the law is urgent in order to break the worrying trend.

Further information:
Terhi Kuljukka-Rabb, Chief Policy Adviser, commerce safety, Finnish Commerce Federation, tel. +358 (0) 50 300 3263, terhi.kuljukka-rabb(at)kauppa.fi