The damage caused by shoplifting returned to its “normal” level before the pandemic with an increase in 2022. But last year, according to Frank Horst, an expert at the EHI retail research institute, “we reached a turning point when the increase in shoplifting reached a level that required special attention.” For the majority of retail stores, increasing security measures has become one of the most important tasks this year, he added.
Overall, a deficit of EUR 4.8 billion was recorded in the inventory register, 5% higher than the previous year. Of this, damages caused by thefts committed by customers, employees, suppliers and service providers amounted to EUR 4.1 billion. Store customers “contributed” EUR 2.82 billion to this deficit.
This means, in purely statistical terms, that every German citizen embezzles 34 euros worth of goods every year. In other words, every 200 customers left the store without paying.
According to criminal police statistics, the number of shoplifting incidents rose by 23.6 percent to a total of 426,000 in 2023 from 344,000 the previous year. The number of “serious” shoplifting incidents of small and large value also increased – the latter reaching 27,000, the highest number of cases ever. “Serious” shoplifting refers to the theft of high-value items that are in display cases or otherwise secured with special security measures.
However, the majority of shoplifting goes unreported or undetected. Calculating on the basis of reported thefts and stock shortages, there are around 24 million shoplifting incidents each year, each worth €117, or 100,000 incidents every day that stores are open nationwide.
EHI mainly attributes the increase in shoplifting to rising prices and a shortage of retail staff. “Because of rising prices, many people are experiencing financial difficulties and are therefore forced to steal,” he said, adding that there are fewer people working in retail, making it easier for thieves.
The most popular product groups for thieves include alcohol, tobacco products, cosmetics, razors, energy drinks, baby food and coffee. The majority of thieves are occasional offenders, but at least a quarter are professional criminals who work in gangs and usually commit “serious” shoplifting.
The EHI survey covered 84 companies and sales channels with 17,000 stores and points of sale with a turnover of 82.8 billion euros. According to the survey, many retailers expect further increases in theft.
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