A leading independent retailers association has published its latest retail crime survey, with findings that paint an increasingly urgent picture of the pressures facing independent businesses across the UK.
The survey, carried out by the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) across more than 25 retail sectors, found that almost 77% of respondents reported experiencing theft in the past 12 months - up from 64% in Bira's previous survey - and nearly 90% of those said theft had worsened compared to the year before.
The human reality behind those figures is stark.
One retailer described theft as "a weekly if not daily occurrence", while another said simply: "It's constant." Several described thieves who "laugh at staff while running away", and one respondent summed up the mood bluntly: "We are on our own." Staff safety is also a growing concern, with reports of employees of all ages being physically manhandled or threatened while trying to protect stock.
More than three quarters of respondents said they believed thieves were becoming more brazen, and over 75% identified repeat offenders as responsible for the theft they experienced. Responses described known individuals returning to the same stores repeatedly, groups using distraction tactics, and incidents linked to organised crime and drug dependency.
Over two thirds of respondents said verbal abuse towards staff had increased over the past 12 months, with incidents typically linked to challenging shoplifters or disputes over refunds and pricing. Seven per cent reported physical abuse, and 45% of those said the situation had worsened in the past year.
The financial toll is significant, with more than 10% of respondents estimating their total annual cost from retail crime - including security measures, lost stock and staff time - at over £10,000.
Many retailers have fundamentally changed how they operate in response. Nearly two thirds said they had altered how they display or store products, with measures including locked cases, reduced floor stock, and items moved behind counters. Over a third said those changes had negatively affected sales or customer experience. More than 18% had been forced to increase staffing levels specifically to deter or manage crime.
Despite the scale of the problem, police response remains a persistent source of frustration. More than 45% of those who experienced theft did not report it to police at all. Of those who did, police attended in 67% of cases - and of those, just 35% led to a prosecution.
Cybercrime is also growing, with 20% of respondents reporting experience of it - up from under 15% previously - including a sharp rise in fraudulent transactions and chargeback abuse.
When asked what would make the most difference, 57% called for stronger sentencing, 55% for improved police response rates, and 45% for greater police presence on high streets.
Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said: "These findings confirm what our members tell us every day - retail crime is not a fringe issue, it is a daily reality for independent businesses across Britain.
"The fact that nearly 90% of those who have experienced theft say it is getting worse, and that many retailers are now spending thousands of pounds a year trying to protect themselves, shows the scale of what is being asked of small business owners who simply want to trade and serve their communities.
"We need to see stronger enforcement, clearer sentencing, and a police presence that matches the problem. Independent retailers cannot continue to absorb these costs alone."
Bira continues to work with industry partners on practical solutions to tackle retail crime across the UK.