- Shoplifting cost UK stores 4.4bn
Posted by Internet Eyes on 10/19/2010
BBC News - Shoplifting cost UK stores 4.4bn, survey says:
Shoplifters cost UK stores 4.4bn in the year to the end of June, a survey of 42,000 European retailers suggests.
More than a third of thefts were carried out by shop staff, said the Centre for Retail Research.
The total cost was 5.8% lower than the previous year, but theft adds about 180 to the average family's annual shopping bill.
Branded clothing is the most common target, but meat, cheese, alcohol and seafood are also often taken.
Retailers say the UK still has one of the worst records in the world.
The survey, carried out on behalf of retail security company Checkpoint Systems, found that an average of 12,054,794 worth of goods were stolen every day in the UK in the 12 months to 30 June."