According to the Umbrella Body for the German Trade Association (HDE), German retail sector, retailers suffered a few € 3 billion ($ 3.5 billion) in 2024 through shoplifting in 2024.
Speaking to the T-online website, HDE managing director Stephen Gent referred to a growing problem with highly professional criminal gangs.
“Group drives of criminals … through internal cities, valuable products – perfumes, shoes, electronics – steal and sell them on the gray market,” Gent said.
Hey said that there were more aggressive personal criminals who attacked the shop workers when they were discovered.
Gent said almost all closed.
“Retail vendors make a complaint to policy, only to leave the case for the causes of efficiency for state prosecutors. As a coniferous, many retailers are disappointed and not reported the police,” Hey said, “That is why, the number of unwanted cases is very high: 98% of the shopkeepers officers are not registered.”
Gent changes in laws, more investment in security and more powers for judiciary.
He said that his association has not found any connection between the increasing number of self-service checkouts and the increasing shopkeeper rate so far.
