Retail Theft Hits 21-Year High: What It Means for Australian Retailers

Australia’s retail sector is facing a theft crisis, with new ABS data revealing 595,660 victims of theft in 2024 — the highest in 21 years and a 6% rise from last year. Almost half of all thefts (45%) occurred in retail stores.

ARA CEO Chris Rodwell said the surge reflects what retailers experience daily, describing it as a “full-scale retail crime crisis.” In Victoria alone, thefts spiked by 29% last year.

Rodwell is calling for urgent government action, including tougher laws, workplace protection orders, and the adoption of technology like body-worn cameras and facial recognition to deter offenders.

“The financial and emotional toll on businesses, workers, and customers is unsustainable,” he said.