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With what's supposed to be the biggest shopping season underway, retailers have more to fear than just slow sales due to the economy. Some security experts say shoplifting is expected to increase this year. And that's something that eventually affects all consumers.
"Consumers should be concerned about shoplifting because it results in higher prices for them. The average family pays more than 2-thousand dollars a year more because of retail theft," Former Loss Prevention Executive Ed Wolkfe said. Along with higher prices, consumer also have to deal with the hassle of security measures. According to the National Association For Shoplifting Prevention, despite the advances in security measures, thieves are only caught once in every 49 times they steal. And research shows thieves generally target hot-selling items. Which means that favorite toy your child wants for Christmas, is less likely to be on store shelves. "Last year retailers lost 30 billion dollars due to retail theft. With the downturn economy this year, we expect it to be a bigger problem," Wolfe noted. Wolfe points to the year 1992. The recession then caused about a 7 percent increase in shoplifting. "With the downturn in the economy there are far more rationalizations that customers have to allow them to think it's okay to steal," Wolfe added.
So here are some things the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention says can be done to stop these type of crimes. First, parents, talk to you kids about shoplifting and the consequences of stealing. Get your school or community agency to add shoplifting prevention to their curriculum. And for retailers, they suggest supporting Anti-Shoplifting Campaigns and Community Programs
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