Crimes against retailers remain at very high levels. New figures from the Swedish Trade Security Barometer show that theft, fraud, and threats have become part of everyday life for many retail businesses.
The Security Index, which measures the percentage of stores that have experienced theft, minor theft, threats, or violence related to theft, burglary, aggressive behaviour, or fraud attempts, stood at 45 percent in the third quarter of 2024. This represents a decrease of five percentage points compared to the previous quarter but an increase of four percentage points compared to the same quarter last year.
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'It is clear that the troubling trend we have observed over a long period continues. Retail crime vulnerability remains high. This is concerning, and in the long run, it will have consequences for the average person. Stores and services that have been taken for granted risk disappearing due to persistently high levels of crime,' says Nina Jelver, security manager at the Swedish Trade Federation.
Theft continues to be the most common crime affecting retailers. During the third quarter, over a third of retailers (36%) reported being victims of theft in the past week. While this marks a slight decrease compared to the previous quarter, discussions with retail companies reveal that the problem remains significant. Additionally, one in four retailers has experienced threatening behavior from visitors or customers in the past month.
'Each year, 10.5 billion kronor is stolen from Swedish stores, and the same amount is spent on preventive security measures. These costs are challenging for many retailers to bear. Ultimately, this also impacts customers, resulting in higher prices and a reduced product selection. Theft has become a societal issue,' says Nina Jelver, adding:
'This is a central theme during this year's Safety Week, taking place from October 21-27. Our message to all retail companies is clear: for the pressing issue of retail crime vulnerability to gain higher priority on decision-makers' agendas, the daily realities of retailers must also be reflected in the statistics. Report all crimes!'
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Svensk Handel
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