UP Ibalon Bicol: Shoplifting rises globally as recession persists

Shoplifting rises globally as recession persists

11/13/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

The Retail Research in United Kingdom in its Global Retail Theft Barometer reports that more people worldwide are resorting to thievery partly due to the money crunch brought about the recession. Thievery accounts for only 1.5% in retail stores in the previous years. However, recently, many people have started stealing in public places raising the incidence of shoplifting to 6% with an estimated business loss of $115 billion.

“…Though the problem was documented across all regions, the steepest increases occurred in North America (8.1%), the Middle East (7.5%) and Europe (4.7%). In terms of total losses, retailers in North America topped the charts at $46 billion, followed by Europe's $44 billion and $17.9 billion in the Asia-Pacific region. In North America and Latin America, store owners and employees were the leading pilferers; in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, it was customers who were swiping the most loot.---- Time.com (11/11/09, Crumley, B.)

Regarded as a “victimless crime,” stealing in retail stores seems benign. Many think it has almost no effect on the consumers at large. But on the contrary. just like hidden expenses of other businesses, losses from shoplifting are charged indirectly to the buying public. Coincident to the fraying of society’s moral values stealing is being rationalized by people. In the ranks of shoplifters are middle-class thieves who don’t only steal to survive, but to do it for fun.

Justifying stealing, shoplifters point to dishonesty in a corrupt society. A redirection of moral outlook is certainly needed. To curve the losses from stealing, security improvement is likewise required. By estimates, shoplifting brings an additional expense burden of $436 and $250 per American and European household respectively per year. (Photo Credit: ReneS) =0=

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Labels: business, crime, economy, moral values, recession, shoplifing, stealing, store, Totie Mesia

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Shoplifting rises globally as recession persists

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