Shoplifting reaches record levels
November 18th, 2009
Item submitted by: MMV Contracting Ltd
Shoplifting has surged to record levels in the UK, fuelled by the recession, according to a study.
The value of retail goods stolen rose 20% to £4.88bn in the year to June, the Centre for Retail Research said.
The UK had the highest amount in value of shoplifted goods in Europe and was third behind the US and Japan globally, data from 1,069 retailers suggests.
Checkpoint Systems, which commissioned the report, said there had been a rise in "middle-class" shoplifters.
It said more people are now stealing goods simply to maintain their standard of living rather than to sell them on.
Checkpoint Systems vice-president Neil Matthews added: "This is epitomised in the recent uprising of the middle-class shoplifter, someone who has turned to theft to sustain their standard of living. This is driving theft of items such as cosmetics, perfumes and face creams, alcohol, fresh meat, mobile phones, computer games and DVDs, as well as small electrical goods like cameras, iPods and personal care gadgets."
Shoplifting or stock shrinkage is a major problem STILL. As security systems are perceived only as a drain on capital, many retailers either spend nothing or invest very little in their security systems such as CCTV. In fact, in some cases the minimal amount of investment that has been made would probably have been better saved as the system the money has bought is poorly designed, installed and inadequately maintained for the purpose for which it was intended.
Whilst it is true to say that the cost of good quality CCTV systems have fallen, there are always installers and customers who are interested in a short term solution and who pay lip service to the "security" required and provided.
MMV has many years of experience designing, installing and maintaining systems for the retail market. Its design and survey service is always free and without obligation. With access to a wide range of equipment, MMV can source the best system to suit the needs of the customer. Leasing a system is a cost effective alternative to outright purchase and could allow for a company to get a first class CCTV system and spread the cost over a sensible time frame.
Call 0870 224 2675 for details. For more detail on this story, visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8347222.stm
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