A significant rise in thefts at supermarkets in the Netherlands was observed in 2022.
The increase is primarily driven by high inflation and the widespread use of self-checkout systems.
In 2022, an average of 66,300 euros worth of products per store were taken without payment. This represents an increase of approximately 20,000 euros from the previous year. This corresponds to an additional cost of 70 million euros for the supermarket industry.
Fresh products such as potatoes, fruits, and vegetables, as well as bread, are the most frequently stolen items in supermarkets.
The overall increase in shoplifting can be partly explained by the fact these goods have become more expensive compared to the previous year due to high inflation.
Business owners are facing mounting challenges with this issue, which is an addition to increased energy bills, higher wages, and rent. Some owners are investing in additional security cameras, though their effectiveness is yet to be determined.
There is also the issue of staff members having to confront customers who fail to pay at self-checkout stations. This situation can become uncomfortable, and customers may become frustrated when subjected to random checks.
A report showed that young employees at self-scan tills feel unsafe because of aggressive customers. They report customers throwing products at them, calling them names, or even threatening them.
Another problem is that the police often do not have the capacity to catch the perpetrators.
https://nltimes.nl/2023/05/20/shoplifting-rise-supermarkets-due-high-inflation-self-checkouts
The majority of people living in the Netherlands have adjusted their shopping patterns because of increased supermarket prices
Almost 70 percent now pay closer attention to their wallets when shopping, while roughly three in ten say they have hardly changed their shopping behavior.
Although inflation has eased somewhat in recent months, supermarket prices are still significantly higher than last year. In April, life was on average 5.2 percent more expensive than one year previously, but people were paying almost 16 percent more for the same groceries, according to Statistics Netherlands.
Around 75 percent of those who said they have changed their shopping habits said they are more likely to buy groceries when they are on sale.
About 59 percent have begun to buy store-brand alternatives instead of brand name products, and 58 percent consciously choose to do without more luxury products. Additionally, 49 percent compare the prices from different supermarkets when they shop.