The rising retail crime wave: why is it happening and what can retailers do?

Retail crime in the UK has surged to record levels, driving huge losses, rising violence against staff, and spiralling prevention costs. Retailers now face the challenge of protecting stock and people without severely impacting their sales, customer experience and bottom line.

Retailers across the UK are facing unprecedented levels of crime. The latest British Retail Consortium figures estimate 20 million shoplifting incidents in 2023/24—over 55,000 every day, the highest on record.

Direct losses from theft reached £2.2 billion, and once prevention costs are included, the total climbs to £4.2 billion. For the average shopper, that equates to a hidden 10p “crime tax” on every purchase.

What’s driving the increase in shop theft?

Factors include:

1. Organised gangs – Professional groups are hitting multiple locations, taking high-value goods in bulk.
2. Cost of living pressures – Economic strain is fuelling both opportunistic and necessity theft.
3. Boom in reselling – Online marketplaces and influencer-driven demand for in-demand products—such as plush toys, cosmetics, and branded accessories—are encouraging targeted theft.

The hidden toll: more than just missing stock

Staff safety and morale

The rise in theft is mirrored by rising violence. BRC data shows over 2,000 incidents of abuse or violence towards shopworkers every day, including 70 weapon-related cases daily.

Many staff say they feel unsafe, with some threatened with knives when intervening. For many businesses, protecting employees is now more critical than the value of the stolen stock itself.

Lost sales and customer frustration

To reduce losses, retailers are locking away or removing high-risk items. This leads to:

• Lost impulse and gifting sales
• Shoppers frustrated by restricted access
• Declining footfall and smaller basket sizes

Mounting operational costs

Prevention spending reached £1.8 billion, covering CCTV, body-worn cameras, and additional staff. Shrinkage management, reporting requirements, and insurance claims add further pressure.

The reality: the stolen items are only part of the cost—indirect impacts on staff, sales, and operations are often far greater.

Retail crime rising, prevention costs spiralling – what can shops do?

Despite shop theft becoming so brazen and impacting high street businesses on a number of levels, there are accessible solutions, one of which is smarter security in the form of tamper-alert tags.

Smarter security: non-magnetic, tamper-alert tags

• Protection without confrontation – Tags trigger alarms when tampered with, so staff don’t need to intervene directly.
• Resistant to tricks – Magnets and other common tools are ineffective.
• Exit alerts – Alarms can activate even without proof of theft, reducing dangerous situations.

Flexible to fit any store

• CCTV integration – Time-stamp incidents for evidence and monitoring.
• Discreet alerts – Link with audio devices to notify staff instantly.
• Stand-alone option – Works independently where integration isn’t needed.

Proven results: cutting shoplifting by 70%

Retailers adopting this technology report average reductions of 70% in theft, helping safeguard stock, ease pressure on staff, and cut operational overheads.

Why solutions like this matter now

• Escalating threat – Retail crime is at a 20-year high.
• Protecting people – Reduces risk of violent confrontations.
• Better shopping experience – Keeps products accessible rather than hidden.
• Financial benefits – Lowers shrinkage, insurance claims, and wasted admin time.

UK retailers are caught in a perfect storm of record theft, rising violence, and surging prevention costs. Removing products from shelves may reduce losses; but at the expense of sales and customer experience.

Smarter tagging solutions offer a safer, proven alternative. By acting as the voice of staff, integrating with existing systems, and reducing theft dramatically, they help protect stock, safeguard employees, and secure profits.