The amount the average Scottish convenience store is losing per year to crime has increased by around £5,000 per year to £19,673, according to the Scottish Grocers’ Federation’s (SGF) newly released annual Crime Report.

The increase, which represents a 38% rise, is based on data from 755 stores. Scaled up to represent Scotland’s 5,220 convenience stores, the SGF claimed this equates to an annual cost of approximately £102.7m per year –which the federation said is ‘crippling’ the sector.

The survey also showed 99.8% of convenience retailers agreeing that shoplifting has increased in the past year. Meanwhile, 99.5% say that shoplifting is now a daily occurrence.

More than eight out of 10 stores also reported that hate crime occurred once a month. Almost all stated violence against staff occurred at least once a month. Likewise, almost all (98.8%) of respondents also reported weekly incidents of abuse when refusing a sale or when asking for proof of age.

Opinion: Taking retail crime prevention into my own hands

SGF data shows retailer confidence in Scottish justice system is declining

The data also revealed a significant decline in confidence in the Scottish justice system’s ability to tackle retail crime, with 48.2% of respondents stating they are either unlikely or very unlikely to report shoplifting incidents to the police.

Further findings show that nearly two-thirds of stores (62.5%) now have at least one staff member who has experienced mental health and wellbeing issues as a result of retail crime. Meanwhile, 83.5% of respondents reported an increase in violence towards shop workers.

SGF chief executive Pete Cheema said: “The reality for many shop workers across Scotland is that each time they go to work, they risk being assaulted, stabbed, spat on, threatened, or abused. Our latest Crime Report shows the true extent of crime devastating the Scottish convenience sector.

“Across every metric, retail crime is on the rise and the impact on staff, businesses and communities can be overwhelming. Our question to the government is, what will it take for decision makers to act?

“Retailers desperately need urgent support, now. The police and courts can’t cope, and many crimes are going unreported because retailers don’t believe the authorities will respond. Offenders know they’re unlikely to face any consequences for their crimes and even if they are arrested, many will spend years awaiting conviction.”

Read more  SGF news and articles