Sharp rise in shoplifting incidents, escalation of gang-related crimes observed in Germany

In a recent statement, Stefan Genth, the CEO of the German Retail Federation (HDE), expressed concern over the increasing instances of shoplifting in the country. According to Genth, high-value goods such as perfume, shoes, and electronics are being targeted by organized offender groups.

The damage from shoplifting in 2024 was reported to be around three billion euros, a 20% increase compared to 2022. Genth attributed this rise to the growing number of unreported shoplifting crimes, which he estimates to constitute a dark figure of 98%.

Genth called for legislative changes, investments in security, and better equipment for the judiciary to combat the issue. He suggested that the high number of unreported crimes is due to traders no longer reporting shoplifting to the police out of frustration, as many cases are dropped by public prosecutors' offices for efficiency reasons.

The German Retail Federation also suspects a high dark figure of unreported shoplifting crimes. Many traders, Genth stated, are opting not to report incidents to the police due to the perceived lack of action.

Genth expressed concern about conditions similar to the USA, where everything is behind glass, and called for a more proactive approach from the state to address the issue. He emphasized the need to crack down harder on shoplifting to protect businesses and consumers alike.

The union of warehouse employees (Gewerkschaft der Lagerarbeiter) has also demanded changes in legislation, investments in security, and better equipment for the judiciary to combat the increase in warehouse thefts. These changes are planned to be implemented within the next 12 months.

Genth believes that over 90% of customers are honest, but aggressive individuals are increasingly participating in shoplifting incidents. He called for the sale of stolen goods on the gray market to be addressed, stating that it fuels the problem and undermines the integrity of the retail sector.

In conclusion, the issue of shoplifting is a significant concern for the German retail industry. With organized crime groups targeting high-value goods and a high number of unreported crimes, it is crucial that legislative changes, investments in security, and better equipment for the judiciary are implemented to combat this issue.