Shoplifting in UK on the rise as food prices soar
Grocery price inflation hit record highs in March
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Shoplifting in the UK is on the rise due to the soaring cost of groceries, a retail boss has warned.
Tracey Clements, the head of BP convenience stores, said that shoplifting in the UK is worse than in other countries in Europe she deals with due to the cost of living crisis.
Grocery price inflation hit record highs in March – and grocery bills are likely to remain high for months to come.
The typical family’s annual grocery bill is £837 higher than it was a year ago, according to market research firm Kantar, with egg, milk and cheese prices rising the fastest.
Ms Clements told Retail Week magazine: “In the UK, unfortunately, shoplifting and the rise in crime against retail workers are more prominent than what I see in the other nine countries that I look after.
“It reminds me of when I was with Tesco Express in 2007. The banking crisis led to a huge increase in shoplifting and aggression and violence against shop workers. Sadly, we’re seeing that again.”
Ms Clements said rising levels of shoplifting mean BP stores have been forced to employ more security staff, and workers are using extra body cameras to catch shoplifters.
The latest Office of National Statistics figures for England and Wales show that shoplifting rose by 22 per cent in the year to September. The British Retail Consortium figures suggest the same, with 7.9 million cases last year, five million more than in 2016/17.
Meanwhile, a 2022 study by the Centre for Retail Research found that shoplifting cost the British economy £660m in 2021-22.
Shop prices are now 8.9 per cent higher than they were a year ago, up from February’s 8.4 per cent increase, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC)-NielsenIQ index.
Overall food inflation accelerated to 15 per cent, up from 14.5 per cent last month, while the price of fresh food is now 17 per cent higher than last March – the highest on record.
Britain’s biggest union, Unite, has blamed food firms and retailers for passing on price increases to shoppers despite sustained profits.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments