Alcohol, meat and confectionery theft at decade-high
Theft of alcohol, meat and confectionery is at its highest rate in a decade as the cost-of-living crisis continues.
According to the Association of Convenience Stores, over 1.1m incidents of theft were recorded in 2022, up from 970,000 in 2021.
The report found that higher value shop items including alcohol, confectionery and meat are more likely to be stolen as they can typically be sold on.
Around 80% of the retailers that ACS surveyed said that a large number of store staff have experienced verbal abuse in the past year and that the cost-of-living crisis was the main cause for a rise in theft.
This comes as grocery price inflation remains in the double-digit at 16.5% for the four weeks to 11 June.
While this has fallen for the third consecutive month to the lowest level since 2022, it is the sixth highest monthly figure in the past 15 years.
The cost of food in supermarkets also rose by 0.9% in May alone.
In March, ACS reported that local shops have also been affected by a rise in theft as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.
A total of 63% of independent retailers reported that theft in their businesses had either increased (35%) or stayed the same (28%) over the last year, with just 9% reporting a decrease in levels of shop theft.
Related news
7-Eleven could re-enter the UK as it eyes European expansion
International convenience chain 7-Eleven could rebuild its presence in the…
Read more >Getir to leave Western Europe
Quick commerce company Getir is preparing to leave all the…
Read more >Aldi to create 5,500 new jobs in the UK this year
In the UK Aldi is creating 5,500 new jobs as…
Read more >Related news
The latest issue of Trade magazin is out now!
The digital version is available with more content once again…
Read more >FAO: global food prices increased for the second month in April on a monthly basis
In April, global food prices rose for the second month…
Read more >Beauty care travels at breakneck speed
Beauty care is one of the fastest growing markets in…
Read more >