Retail crime in Sweden has surged in the second quarter of 2025, with nearly one in three stores falling victim to theft and over one in five reporting threatening behaviour, according to the latest Swedish Trade Safety Barometer. The increase raises fresh concerns for the retail industry across Europe, especially within the interior and furniture sectors, where in-store security is paramount.
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The Security Index, which measures exposure to theft, threats, violence, burglary, and threatening behaviour, rose to 42 percent in Q2 2025, up seven percentage points from the first quarter. Nina Jelver, Head of Security at Svensk Handel, emphasised the worrying trend: 'It is worrying that the risk of crime is increasing again. It has long been known that thefts and threatening situations have become everyday life in stores, and it is not impossible that the increase in the second quarter is a direct consequence of the fact that crimes against trade, especially thefts, rarely have any consequences. The criminal elements are of course aware of this.'
The impact of retail crime extends beyond immediate loss, affecting popular payment methods, product availability, and potentially forcing some stores to close. Jelver highlighted the broader societal consequences: 'The average person may not think about it, but the mass theft also has negative consequences for society at large.'
Despite the rising crime rates, only 36 percent of thefts were reported to the police in Q2, a slight improvement but still a concerningly low figure. Reasons cited include a lack of prosecutions, failure to identify suspects, and the time-consuming nature of reporting. Svensk Handel is urging all retailers to report crimes: 'We know that sometimes it can feel hopeless to file a police report. But it is of utmost importance to be persistent, to demonstrate to the responsible authorities how vulnerable our industry actually is. Reporting crimes that you as a trader are exposed to is also making an effort for the industry at large,' Jelver urged.
As retail crime rises, European businesses in the interior and furniture sectors, which depend heavily on secure and stable retail environments, are watching closely. The increase in theft and aggressive behaviour challenges retailers' ability to provide safe, customer-friendly experiences and maintain healthy profit margins.
The Swedish Trade Safety Barometer signals a critical need for coordinated action across the retail industry and law enforcement to protect businesses and consumers from escalating crime risks.
More information:
Svensk Handel
www.svenskhandel.se
