Kiwi retailers saw a 10 percent jump in the use of weapons in retail crime events last year, putting more frontline workers and customers at risk.
New information from retailers using retail crime reporting software, Auror, showed knife and blade events increased in line with total weapon events, up 10 percent as well.
While reported serious crime is generally plateauing in New Zealand, crime in retail remains persistently high and is becoming more brazen, more organised, more violent and aggressive.
Retailers recorded a 14 percent uptick in threatening or intimidating behaviour and an 11 percent jump in serious or violent behaviour compared to 2023.
Auror CEO and co-founder Phil Thomson said retail crime is brazen, violent and organised, and by having retailer-contributed data, we can see the true scale and impact it’s having on communities.
“The top 10 percent of offenders caused more than 60 percent of total harm and loss in New Zealand communities last year,” he said.
“Crime in retail is the highest crime type by volume, so we need to lean into new measures to protect retail workers and unlock more efficiencies for our frontline police.
“Retail crime is a real city killer; it strips the vibrancy from our communities, decimates the high street, puts vulnerable frontline workers and customers at risk and is a drain on precious police resources.”
The data also showed that almost one in every five retail crime events in New Zealand involved violence, including weapons use, intimidation, threats, and abuse.
Knives and blades were the weapons of choice, making up 46 percent of all events involving weapons.
Across the ditch, Australia experienced a 66 percent spike in the use of weapons, while serious and threatening events were up 30 percent and 39 percent respectively last year.
“New Zealand is not immune to the confronting spikes in violent retail crime we’re seeing overseas – and we need to do everything we can to stay ahead of it. Police do incredible work; the challenge is the volume,” Thomson said.
ShopCare CEO Selena Armstrong said retailers are under immense pressure – not only dealing with persistent crime but also carrying the responsibility of keeping their teams and customers safe.
“ShopCare supports retailers with guidance and training to improve worker safety, and prioritising preventative measures is key – potential weapons should not be easily accessible in store,” she said.
“Providing more certainty around preventative technologies such as the responsible use of facial recognition, is essential to empower stores to stop these incidents before they happen.
“Retail workers should not have to face escalating harm every day.”
