As the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear, Canadian retailers are grappling with a surge in theft incidents that are not only causing financial losses but also putting frontline workers at risk.
According to Rui Rodrigues, the executive advisor for loss prevention and risk management at the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), the latest figures paint a grim picture. The retail crime report for 2024 revealed that reported losses in Canada have soared to $9.1 billion, nearly double the amount from 2018.
The survey, which involved discussions with close to 20,000 retailers nationwide, highlighted a disturbing trend of increasing theft-related violence. Rodrigues emphasized that incidents involving assault or theft with a weapon have spiked by a staggering 300%.
Theft is no longer limited to high-end stores; criminals are targeting a wide range of products. Larger retail locations like Walmart, offering a variety of goods under one roof, are particularly appealing to thieves looking to make quick and substantial hauls.
Rodrigues pointed out that theft and violence know no bounds, affecting businesses of all sizes and types. In urban centers, marginalized individuals grappling with issues like mental health, drug addiction, and homelessness are often involved in theft, sometimes under the influence of substances that heighten the risk of violence. Organized criminal groups also prey on vulnerable individuals for their nefarious activities.
To combat this growing threat, Rodrigues called for tougher penalties for chronic offenders. He stressed the need for collaboration between retailers, law enforcement, and prosecutors to ensure repeat offenders face meaningful consequences for their actions. Retailers are increasingly investing in security measures such as hiring security guards, enhancing store entrances and exits, and installing turnstiles to deter theft.
While heightened security measures are more visible during the holiday season, maintaining a robust security presence year-round can be challenging and costly for retailers. Targeted enforcement with police assistance is suggested as a cost-effective solution to combat theft effectively.
Despite the economic struggles faced by many, shoplifting incidents under $5,000 have been on the rise, as per Statistics Canada. The agency reported a 14% increase in shoplifting incidents in 2024 compared to the previous year, marking a concerning trend of rising theft rates over the past decade.
Keyphrase: Retail theft trends