A concerning trend of retailers purchasing stolen goods from professional shoplifters is on the rise, according to industry experts.
The practice, often facilitated by organised criminal gangs, is fuelling addiction problems and posing a significant challenge to the retail sector.
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has reported a surge in 'high-volume' and 'very brazen' shoplifting incidents, with products such as meat, cheese, and alcohol being the most sought-after items.
These stolen goods are then resold locally or through online marketplaces such as Facebook and WhatsApp.
Andrew Goodacre, CEO of the British Independent Retails Association (Bira), a retail industry association, told the British Broadcasting Corporation that criminal gangs are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their operations, coordinating thefts and the disposal of stolen goods more efficiently.
He also expressed concern about the growing number of cases where legitimate businesses are unwittingly purchasing these illicit items.
“While meat and cheese have long been common targets, our members are now reporting thefts across a much broader range of products, including pet food, cleaning supplies, kitchen utensils, and even kettles,” Goodacre explained.
According to Bira, 80% of its members have reported thefts in the past year, a significant increase from just a few years ago.
The ACS, meanwhile, has recorded 5.6 million incidents of shop theft in the past year, with half of the offenders being repeat criminals.
In response to the escalating problem, convenience stores have invested £339m ($444.62m) in crime prevention measures, including CCTV, alarms, and tagging.
The rise of organised shoplifting and the involvement of legitimate businesses in purchasing stolen goods presents a significant challenge for UK retailers and law enforcement.
As the problem continues to escalate, industry experts are calling for increased collaboration between retailers, law enforcement agencies, and policymakers to address this growing threat.
