Retailers should prepare themselves for an onslaught of crime during the final weeks of Christmas as £431.2m of stock will be stolen from UK stores, according to new research.
Figures by Checkpoint Systems shows that more than 105,000 incidents of theft will occur during this time, a rise of more than 200% from a normal four-week period.
The study claims that £2.93m of stock will be lost every hour of trading in 687 separate incidents of shoplifting, totalling some £26.4m on the year’s busiest shopping day, Saturday 22 December.
The findings warn that the products most at risk of being stolen are perfumes, alcohol, women’s wear, cosmetics, and electronic media.
The research found that amongst the shoplifters that are arrested, the value of items is normally around £77.95 but at Christmas thieves target higher priced goods resulting in the value reaching £85.71.
During Christmas period, Saturdays are the highest day for theft, however during the rest of the year retailers need to be more concerned about Thursdays.
