As Christmas approaches, many small business owners are busy decking the halls, preparing for the holiday rush, and hoping for a profitable season. But behind the cheerful spirit, there’s a growing concern that could ruin the festivities: retail theft. It’s become so prevalent that some shop owners say it’s practically part of the daily routine. And unfortunately, the issue is getting worse—just in time for the busiest shopping season of the year.
Shoplifting Becomes Routine
Take the case of Orange Supermarket in Sydney, where staff have become accustomed to seeing theft as a regular occurrence. What started as the occasional missing snack or drink has snowballed into daily losses of $200 to $300. Some days, those losses climb to as much as $500 or $600. Over a year, that adds up to a staggering $150,000. For small businesses already working with razor-thin margins, this kind of theft can be devastating.
“Basically, theft happens every day,” says to SBS News Lizchen Cai, a cashier at the supermarket. And it’s not just the occasional item swiped here or there. What’s troubling is that, as the losses grow, so does the aggression. Thieves are becoming more brazen, sometimes even resorting to violence to reclaim stolen goods. “When we catch someone stealing, they often run out immediately and may hit us or fight us to snatch the items back,” says Harry Zhao, another staff member.
Why Is This Happening?
So why is retail theft on the rise? Experts point to a few key factors. The most obvious is the economic pressure many people are feeling, particularly younger shoppers. A survey from Monash University found that 54% of Australians aged 18-34 believe retail theft is justifiable to some degree. With wages stagnating and inflation squeezing wallets, some see stealing as a way to survive.
The rise in self-checkout systems also plays a role. With fewer human cashiers around, customers often feel less guilty when they skip scanning an item. After all, it’s just a corporation they’re “stealing” from, right? Well, that mindset is contributing to a growing acceptance of theft in society.
The Christmas Crunch
The problem is only expected to get worse as we approach the holiday season. Retailers, especially small shops, brace for an uptick in theft as people rush to complete their shopping. But while businesses are doing their best to combat the crime—using facial recognition technology and more security—many are still struggling to keep up.
Vincent Hurley, an expert in criminology at Macquarie University, warns that shoplifting isn’t just a retail problem—it’s a societal one. He notes that when low-level crimes like theft become normalized, they can lead to more serious criminal behavior down the line. Businesses are also left in a tough spot. Many don’t want police inside their stores, as it can send a negative message to customers. And for the thieves, if they don’t get caught, it feels like a victimless crime.
The Call for Action
As the Christmas season draws closer, retailers, law enforcement, and policy experts are calling for a more coordinated effort to tackle retail theft. They argue that a stronger police presence and more consistent laws would help deter repeat offenders. But at the end of the day, it’s about shifting public attitudes—reminding people that theft, no matter how small, is harmful to everyone.
