Store shoplifting, “a growing scourge,” causes billions of dollars in losses each year in Canada. The Retail Council of Canada believes police should make more arrests related to this phenomenon.
“If we don’t stop people we will be dealing with repeat offenders and organized crime who are now involved. With the rise of online resale sites, it's easier than ever to resell stolen devices. It is a growing scourge, especially since inflation,” comments Michel Rochette, spokesman for the Retail Council of Canada.
Consumers are not spared from these thefts either. The billions in losses caused by shoplifting lead to rising prices in stores. “Everyone is a victim of these players who have chosen a different path,” he added.
Many consequences for retail
For retailers, shoplifting is not only a waste of money, but also a waste of time. The director of L'Intermarché Saint-Vallier, Philippe Fontaine, confirms that he experiences shoplifting in his store almost every day.
“It is a problem for us. It causes us a lot of losses,” he explains.
If such a situation occurs, he communicates with the authorities and contacts those involved. However, when a police report is filed, “it is difficult to follow up,” he says.
According to him, when it comes to upstairs thefts, the authorities should make more efforts to prevent this phenomenon. “We don't have time to wait two hours to fill out a statement to the police, so we release the person. There are no repercussions, the person could do it again,” he concludes.