Retailers roll out new tech to catch shoplifters in $1 billion Christmas crime spree

There are major changes to the way retailers are tracking stolen items as more than $1 billion worth of goods will be stolen before Christmas.

Retailers are hiring extra security as more than $1 billion worth of goods will be stolen in the lead up to Christmas as interest rate hikes bite.

And staff are continuing to deal with angry customers even after the end of the pandemic, with workers given body cameras for their own protection.

Retailers are also rolling out new super smart tags that can track stolen items even when a customer has left the store.

The Christmas spendathon in Australia will hit $66 billion this year - 6.4 per cent up on 2021 - partly driven by inflation price hikes.

Sales remain strong despite interest rates hitting the highest point in a decade, with the case rate increased again this week.

Australians are expected to spend $66 billion this Christmas. Picture: Nikki Short

Australian Retailers Association chief executive Paul Zahra said shoplifters were still a drain on the economy.

“Retail Crime is estimated to cost the industry around one billion dollars over the Christmas trading period in terms of stolen products and property damage,” Mr Zahra said.

He said the most commonly stolen items were clothing, jewellery, cosmetics, accessories, and tech products.

“Retailers are employing additional security personnel, increasing the use of covert and overt security guards, and providing more education to staff members so they know how to respond and most importantly keep themselves safe in the event of a theft,” Mr Zahra said.

“Technology is also a powerful tool in trying to curb instances of retail crime – closed circuit television (CCTV) is used in most stores and new technology like body worn cameras are now being trialled by some retailers.”

Cost of living is causing considerable pressure on shoppers as inflation rises. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Some of the new technology to beat criminals includes Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, popular in America and used by clothes store Uniqlo.

The tags, which can be the size of regular barcode, include specific information about the item.

They are easier to use than dye tags commonly used on clothing, with global sales of tags hitting 21 billion in 2021, a 36 per cent increase.

Naomi Nevin of Rhythm Snowsports said RFID tags have reduced theft at her store in Cooma, New South Wales.

“Thieves are always going to be thieves but we want to minimise that as much as possible,” she said.

“We’ve also had cases where someone will steal something and use someone else’s receipt to return it and get a refund, but each tag is individual so now we know that it’s not the same item.”

Peter Reinke says tiny new RFID tags can help retailers reduce losses. Picture: Supplied

Peter Reinke, of RAMP RFID which installed the tags at Rhythm Snowsports, said the technology also helped reduce misplaced stock.

“They can be as small as a 4cm by 3cm piece of paper,” he said.

“The tags have a little chip, a microchip with an antennae in it.”

The technology has also been used to monitor kegs of beer and medical waste, he added.

Australians are hitting the shops again in the first Christmas not tainted by lockdowns, even though there is a new Covid-19 wave.

Mr Zahra said retailers were still battling bad behaviour.

“This issue came to the fore during the pandemic, when restrictions like mask wearing and proof of vaccinations were in place, and retailers had to manage the enforcement of those protocols,” he said.

“Even though the pandemic is behind us, we’re continuing to see instances of customer aggression and retail crime – it’s an ongoing frustration.”