Survey highlights UK consumer concerns about shoplifting

By Tony Corbin in Industry News 24th November 2023

While the impact of shoplifting on retailers is clear to most, new data shows that 45% of UK consumers are also concerned about the rise in shop theft, with Gen Z most likely to say they’re anxious about the increase.

The latest data from consumer research company GWI also found that UK consumers believe there needs to be more instances of prosecution/sentencing of offenders (39%) to reduce shoplifting.

The top 5 actions consumers in the UK would like to see taken are:

Effective prosecution/sentencing of offenders – 39%
Greater police presence in the neighbourhood – 39%
More security guards – 35%
More security measures (e.g. cameras, mirrors) – 34%
Anti-theft tags on products – 32%

The data also revealed:

18% of people in the UK say they would stop shopping at a store they regularly visit if they were aware of shoplifting – and Londoners are significantly more likely than the rest of the UK to say they’d change where they shop. The generation most likely to say this is millennials (48%).
Just 29% of people in the UK think that stores are doing enough to prevent shoplifting.
36% of Gen Z and 31% of millennials believe that recent news stories about shoplifting becoming more common are exaggerated. For baby boomers, only 13% believe these reports are exaggerated.
Most people in the UK say that a rise in shoplifting wouldn’t prompt them to change their shopping habits (58%).

Chris Beer, data journalist at GWI, said: “The latest data reveals that almost half of the UK are concerned about the surge in shoplifting. These findings shed light on a complex situation, with consumers advocating stern solutions.

“At the top of the wishlist for tackling shoplifting is legal action, heightened police presence, and security personnel.

“If we look at generations, we can see that some are sceptical – 36% of Gen Z and 31% of Millennials believe recent shoplifting headlines are exaggerated. At the same time, just 29% of people in the UK say that current in-store measures are sufficient, and despite rising concerns, 58% say that shoplifting wouldn’t prompt a change in their shopping habits.

“There’s a reluctance from consumers to change the way they shop, which means retailers are tasked with coming up with a solution to the issue we’re seeing with shoplifting”.