Nov 04, 2011
The new Global Retail Theft Barometer by Checkpoint Systems, covering the period from July 2010 to June 2011, is based on information supplied by a combined total of 1,187 retail groups operating 251,895 stores with sales of $ 986.5 billion in 43 countries. Worldwide, total markdown amounted to $ 119.092 billion and the average rate rose 6.6% from 1.36% to 1.46% as follows:
- in North America, it cost 1.58% of sales or $ 45.321 billion,
- Latin America: 1.67% or 6.053 billion,
- Middle East/Africa: 1.71% or $ 815 million,
- Europe, Russia included: 1.3 9% or 48.615 billion,
- Asia/Pacific: 1.22% or 18.288 billion.
India apart, whose shrinkage rate decreased to 12.5%, it rose everywhere across the world: most impacted countries are India (2.38% of retail sales), Russia (1.74%), Morocco (1.72%) and South Africa (1.71%). Lowest rates are to be found in Taiwan (0.91%), Hong Kong (0.95%), Austria and Switzerland (1.04%). Europe suffered from the highest evolution in one year climbing 7.38%, from 1.29% to 1.39%.
In Europe, shoplifting grew highly from 2010 for 35.1% of retailers (compared with 17.7% in 2010) and 21.6% announced a rise of employee theft (compared with 30.2% in 2010). The average amount stolen or admitted by shoplifters in Europe was € 93.85 (down 17.5%) and the average amount stolen by employee was € 1,381.4 or a 27% drop. Products mainly stolen were textile (fashion accessories, children’s wear and outdoor wear), high-end grocery (cheese, cooked meals and spirits) and health/beauty products (shaving products, perfume, fragrances...).
In France, shrinkage grew again coming back to the 2009 level: average rate rose 2.9% from 1.36% to 1.40% of retail sales: in-store theft cost almost € 4.9 billion to the French retailers. France is now ranked 3rd in Europe behind U.K and Germany. Theft by customers accounted 44% of the shrinkage, however, theft by employees continued falling (30.1% down from 30.6% in 2010) and theft by suppliers rose lightly (7.2% from 7% in 2010). European retailers continue investing in their store protection. In France, loss prevention and security costs amounted to € 1,369 billion or 0.32% of the retail sales.
