Controlling shop crime in Britain: costs and trends

Abstract

Crime is a major problem for many retailers. Uses data from three national retail crime surveys, analyses the extent and costs of retail crime in the UK and evaluates trends in customer and employee theft. Finds that most surveys show that crime costs UK retailers an average of 1.0‐1.5 per cent of their sales, whilst US retailers lose in excess of 25 per cent more. Discusses the management of retail security and the major loss prevention approaches adopted by stores. Reviews security technology used in both the UK and US, store exclusions, and civil recovery programmes. Concludes that combating retail crime requires a range of integrated policies to be used.

Citation

Tonglet, M. and Bamfield, J. (1997), "Controlling shop crime in Britain: costs and trends", International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, Vol. 25 No. 9, pp. 293-300. https://doi.org/10.1108/09590559710185772