This article aims to address the phenomenon of retail theft, namely theft in stores and supermarkets, which represents a problem affecting retailers around the world, Portugal being no exception, whose causes are diverse and their consequences represent high losses for retailers.
Rogério COPETO
Colonel of the GNR
Master in Law and Security and Homeland Security Auditor
This isn't the first time I've written about this subject., having had the opportunity to address the phenomenon of retail theft, in the article titled “Theft in supermarkets” em 10 November 2015, due to the news released by Dinheiro Vivo, with the title "Thefts in trade equals 16 Portuguese euros", of 4 November 2015, which reported the conclusions of the “Global Retail Theft Barometer 2014-2015”, where it was mentioned that losses resulting from theft represented 52% of losses, i.e, almost 157 million, o equivalente a 16 Portuguese euros, finding Portugal, na height, in 6th position among the countries where the least amount of retail theft occurs.
In an internet search it was found that after 2015 There is no longer any news regarding the Portuguese reality regarding the phenomenon of retail theft, However, it is a subject that concerns most Anglo-Saxon countries, where the United States presents itself as the most concerned, annually publishing several studies, being the "Retail Security Survey – 2023” the most recent and the one that deepens the retail theft in that country.
The aforementioned report presents the results of the American reality on retail security in the year 2023, I welcome the answers from 177 Business, who earned a total of 1,6 trillions of dollars (1,5 billions of euros) in 2022 and represent more than 97.000 commercial spaces in the United States, covering 28 different retail sectors, that taking into account the total sales in 2022, the losses represented 112,1 billions of dollars (102 billion), above 93,9 billions (85 billion) in 2021, where theft accounts for almost two-thirds (65%) of the losses, and in some sectors may represent more than 70% of the total losses.
It is true that the Portuguese reality will be very far from the American reality and we will probably continue to be well ranked in the ranking of countries where there is least retail theft., despite the crime of theft representing 26,3% of all crimes reported to the Security Forces (FS) and be the most common crime in the category of property crimes, as stated no “Homeland Security Annual Report 2022" (Perhaps 2022), where retail thefts included in the crime type “Theft in a commercial or industrial building without break-in, escalation or false key” had an increase in 39,2% between 2021 and 2022, a total of 7.096 thefts, occupying fourth place in crimes that rose the most in 2022, to follow the narcotics traffic, drunk driving and theft of opportunity.
It can therefore be seen that retail theft is not autonomous in RASI 2022, as are other types of crime, Nor are the losses resulting from this type of crime known., assuming that they will also have increased, representing in 2022 a value greater than 157 million euros of 2014-2015, However, retail theft deserves special attention from the FS in terms of its prevention and combat., operationalizing the program “Secure trade", created in the 1990s 90 the last century, being one of the main reasons why this type of crime will not represent the expression it presents in other countries.
That's why the National Republican Guard (GNR), fulfilling the objectives of the “Safe Commerce” program started last Friday, day 24 of November the operation “Safe Commerce 2023” which will run until the day 31 of December, promoting awareness-raising actions and reinforcing patrolling in commercial areas, with the aim of ensuring the safety of traders and customers, result of the increase in the flow of people in spaces and commercial areas, characteristic of this time of year, associated with greater consumerism on the part of the Portuguese.
With regard to the characterization of the phenomenon of retail theft, This has several causes, where financial motivation is one of these causes, taking into account that thefts result from financial difficulties, unemployment or other needs of its authors, the occasion or opportunity being another cause, because commercial spaces often face challenges in monitoring their items, creating opportunities for theft. Peer pressure can also be identified as a cause of retail theft, because the perpetrators of the theft are motivated by the influence of third parties to commit this type of crime.
The consequences are also several, the financial loss being the most serious, because the practice of retail theft results in significant losses for retailers, affecting profits and its ability to grow, Another consequence being risks to the safety of customers and retailers, particularly due to situations of flagrant crime, which result in situations that could create dangerous situations for employees and customers, another consequence being the increase in prices, to compensate for losses, thus harming consumers.
To prevent retail theft, retailers have several options, video surveillance being the best, because it works as a deterrent, identifies suspicious behavior and images can be used as evidence, also adequate training for all employees, especially for those whose main task is security, it is a necessary and essential measure, so that everyone knows how to act before, during and after a theft.
Furthermore, Small details can make all the difference in preventing theft, namely the location of cash registers, which must be close to the exit, allowing employees to respond more quickly, as well as the location of the highest value items, which must be located in the line of sight of employees.
If possible, items of greater value should also have anti-theft alarms., because they are deterrents, but what is essential in all commercial spaces is the installation of an intrusion alarm.
This and other advice can be found on the GNR page in the area of Special Programs, It can be summarized that preventing and combating retail theft is a complex challenge, which requires a multifaceted approach and constant cooperation between retailers and FS, assuming the “Safe Commerce” program as the instrument that most contributes, so that Portugal, is one of the countries where there is least retail theft, However, more up-to-date studies are needed, FS can take on this responsibility of deeper analysis of the phenomenon of retail theft.
