News

Study aims to stop theft

New Zealand Herald, Weekend Herald 28-29 December 2002.

Retailers will be shopping for ideas to combat theft in the New Year.

Shoplifting is estimated to cost the retail industry $1 million to $2 million a day - or $360 million to $725 million a year, on sales of $46 billion.

The Retailers Association is to make a major study of shoplifting next year and wants to develop guidelines to help store owners combat the problem.

Association spokesman Barry Hellberg said the guidelines would be aimed at owner-operators rather than large stores, which often have in-store security managers.

The association would bring together retailers, police, academics who have researched shoplifting, and consumer interest groups to discuss the problem, he said.

It is likely to focus on educating retailers about their legal rights, such as how to search customers suspected of stealing and make a citizen's arrest.

Mr Hellberg said the problem of shoplifting had changed little in his 17 years with the association, despite new security measures.

"The remedies change a little bit over the years but the problem still remains, and it's a major issue that we need to tackle next year."

Back to Reference