Multinational retailer Marks and Spencer has become the latest organisation to urge stronger action from police and government, describing retail crime as becoming “systemic rather than isolated.”
Stores report repeat offenders returning multiple times a day and coordinated groups deliberately targeting high-demand products for resale. Offenders frequently conceal items in multiple bags, use distraction tactics and move in groups to overwhelm staff, demonstrating confidence they are unlikely to face prosecution.
Incidents increasingly involve verbal abuse, threats and intimidation of staff. Frontline teams report situations where confrontations escalate quickly, sometimes requiring intervention to protect both employees and customers.
The combination of repeated targeting and aggressive behaviour has made preventing theft a daily operational challenge, with staff having to manage risk while maintaining normal store operations.
Reporting gaps and undercounted impact
Retailers highlight inconsistencies in how incidents are addressed. Many offences under a certain value threshold do not trigger a police response, and follow-up action can be inconsistent. This discourages some businesses from reporting every incident, meaning official figures underestimate the true scale of retail crime.
Marks and Spencer note how organised offenders exploit these reporting gaps. By committing multiple low-value thefts across different locations, offenders avoid triggering investigations while accumulating significant losses.
The presence of online resale platforms amplifies the incentive for repeat theft, as stolen goods can be quickly monetised, turning minor theft into profitable, organised activity.
These trends intersect with economic pressures, which have increased the frequency of opportunistic shoplifting. Retailers report both organised groups and individual offenders are operating in the same environments, making theft more frequent and complex to manage.
A sector-wide challenge requiring coordinated action
Retail crime affects businesses of all sizes, where independent stores and smaller chains face the same threats as national brands, often with fewer resources to deter or respond to incidents.
Reports indicate repeat theft in high streets and shopping centres is rising, with staff in smaller operations particularly vulnerable due to limited security measures.
Effectively reducing risk requires coordination across the retail sector with staff training, strategic use of smart security technology, and consistent engagement with law enforcement are all necessary to address the problem.
By combining preventative measures with responsive processes, retailers can create safer environments for staff and customers while reducing the operational and financial impact of repeated incidents.
Amthal works with retailers such as The Maltings Shopping Centre to implement and maintain security solutions tailored to the realities of bespoke retail environments. Our approach to retail integrates risk assessment, technology and staff guidance to help businesses respond to evolving threats while maintaining safe spaces for employees and customers.
