Retail in Germany complains about significantly more shoplifts and a criminal prosecution of the perpetrators: inside.
“In 2024, the damage caused by shoplifting was three billion euros-20 percent more than 2022,” said Stefan Genth, managing director of the German Trade Association (HDE), the T-Online portal.
On the one hand, there is highly professional gang crime. “Groups of perpetrators go through inner cities in a targeted manner, steal high -quality goods – perfume, shoes, electronics – and sell them on the gray market,” said Genth. On the other hand, there are more aggressive individual offenders: inside the employees: attacks inside when they are caught.
“98 percent of the thefts are not displayed”
Genth sees deficits in law enforcement. “Dealers: Refund indicates in the inside, and the public prosecutors then hire for reasons of efficiency. In consequence, many dealers are no longer frustrated by the police,” Genth continued. “That is why the number of unreported cases is extremely high: 98 percent of the thefts are not displayed.”
Genth called for legal changes, investments in safety and better equipment for the judiciary. “I fear conditions like in the USA, where almost everything is behind glass. This is an expression of distrust of everyone: inside – although over 90 percent are honest.” The state must therefore better equip the law enforcement authorities.
He rejected a direct connection between the new Self-Scanning coffers and theft. “We cannot confirm this connection.”