Australian Shop Owners Concerned as Common Behavior Escalates

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Shoplifting has become so relentless at Orange Supermarket in Sydney’s south that staff say it now feels like part of the daily routine — and a costly one.

What used to be the odd missing snack or drink has escalated into hundreds of dollars in daily losses, fuelling concerns across the retail sector as theft surges nationwide.

According to Lizchen Cai, a cashier working in a Sydney supermarket, shoplifting is an everyday occurrence. “Basically, theft happens every day,” she shared with SBS News.

“On average, the losses range from $200 to $300 on some days but can rise to $500 or $600 on others.”

When you add it all up over the course of a year, these thefts result in losses of about $150,000. For small and mid-sized retailers, this figure significantly impacts their already narrow profit margins.

A woman wearing glasses and a purple jumper stands in the aisle of a supermarket.

Lizchen Cai, who works in Sydney, estimates that their store incurs losses ranging from $200 to $300 daily due to shoplifting. This information was captured in a report by SBS News, with a photo credit to George Chan.

Harry Zhao, a shop assistant, mentioned that most incidents of theft tend to be minor and go largely unnoticed. Yet, their cumulative effect is anything but trivial for the businesses affected.

A man wearing a black jumper sits in a supermarket aisle.

Harry Zhao said the staff let thieves go to avoid a confrontation. Source: SBS / George Chan

Zhao said offenders come from all ages and backgrounds, though one group stands out.

“The majority are young people,” he said.

That aligns with a recent Monash University survey of 1,047 Australian shoppers aged 18 and older, released in October.

Stephanie Atto, the study’s lead author and research and strategy director at Monash Business School’s Australian Consumer and Retail Studies, said younger people are certainly more accepting of theft.

“Our survey found that more than half [54 per cent] of 18-to-34-year-olds said that retail theft was justifiable to some degree,” she told SBS News.

Shops brace for holiday theft

The Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded 270,000 retail thefts last year, up 7 per cent — the highest level in two decades.

Supermarket shelves display drink bottles with Asian language labels.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded 270,000 retail thefts last year, up 7 per cent — the highest level in two decades. Source: SBS / George Chan

“We do expect an increase in retail crime leading up to Christmas, and we urge retailers to be vigilant,” Atto said.

“Also, law enforcement needs to be out there looking after retailers, as well.”

Atto said the spike in shoplifting may be a symptom of a wider shift in attitudes.

“During an alarming rise in crime, people in Australia have become more accepting of retail theft. Our survey found that one in four believe it is justifiable to some degree to commit retail theft, including taking an item and not paying for it,” she said.

Monash University’s report also found a rise in specific behaviours, including shoplifting (27 per cent), changing price tags on products (30 per cent), not scanning some items at self-checkout terminals (32 per cent), and scanning items as cheaper alternatives (36 per cent).

Why retail theft is on the rise

Vincent Hurley, who specialises in the contemporary role of police and policing within criminological theories at Macquarie University, said when it comes to retail theft, soaring prices may be driving the trend.

“There is inflation and stagnation of wages, especially for part-time workers. So even to survive, some would consider stealing to be a way to survive in this cost-of-living crisis,” he told SBS News.

Hurley, a former detective superintendent in NSW Police, said the growth of self-checkouts, which depersonalise payments, may be another factor behind rising crime rates.

“[Consumers] do not see it as stealing from an individual, from a person. They see [it as] stealing from an organisation, a corporation, which has no face, it has no identity,” he said.

A recent survey by the Retail Traders Association found 70 per cent of shop owners reported a rise in shoplifting over the past financial year.

Efforts by retailers, police, and peak bodies to crack down on repeat offenders — including the use of facial recognition technology — have so far had limited impact, according to Hurley.

“We should be worried about this trend as a society. Low-level crime can lead to much wider and more crime,” Hurley said.

“Yet businesses do not want police inside their premises, because it sends a negative message to customers.

“So many businesses that are losing money build it into their insurance. And criminals see it as morally acceptable to steal from stores and get away with it, without being challenged.”

A wide shot of a supermarket check out area, showing self checkout scanners.

Supermarkets and other retailers are bracing for a rise in theft over Christmas. Source: SBS / SBS Chinese / George Chan

Atto said retailers, police and peak bodies have stepped up efforts to crack down on offenders, most of whom research shows are repeat offenders.

“They’ve called for consistent national crime laws and police responses and have launched awareness campaigns to encourage Australians to be vigilant and report suspicious activities,” she said.

However, many on the retail frontline fear they are losing the battle against rising crime.

“If you steal, it is selfish and inconsiderate of others,” Zhao said.

“It creates insecurity and a feeling of danger in the community.”

This story was produced in collaboration with SBS Chinese.