N.L. store affected by national rise in shoplifting

Spike in retail crime hits Goulds grocery store daily.

Ellen Rogers
Kicker

A family-owned and operated supermarket in the Goulds is the target of shoplifters almost every day, says the store’s manager.

Whether it’s steaks and other meats or a couple of bottles of whiskey, Bidgood’s Supermarket and Liquor Store has seen an increase in shoplifting, says Courtney Bidgood.

Most thefts at Bidgood’s involve amounts under $5,000, so these crimes are often seen as less urgent by law enforcement and the court system. However, Bidgood notes that for individuals who have already been banned or are known to police, the total value of what they’ve stolen can add up over time.

Bidgood’s isn’t alone. The past decade has seen a dramatic increase in retail crime across the country. According to Statistics Canada, shoplifting incidents increased to 442 per 100,000 population from 265 – an increase of about 67 per cent over 10 years.

The increase represents not only a financial threat for retailers but also puts their employees in greater physical danger given they are confronted with more criminals.

As the Retail Council of Canada says, “Retail crime is more than just shoplifting—it’s a safety crisis”.

Bidgood says that although store staff members are great at catching shoplifters, neither she nor management wants their employees to face the risk of any potential violence. One employee in particular was shoved while trying to stop a shoplifter.

Bidgood’s currently relies on multiple video cameras to help identify shoplifters who manage to get through the doors. However, management says it may need to hire professional security in the future.

Alongside shoplifting, the business has also dealt with incidents of vandalism and vehicle theft in its parking lot.

The Retail Council of Canada has produced a document entitled “Next Steps and Calls to Action” to help minimize the issues that retailers such as Bidgood’s face.

Among the Retail Council’s recommendations are stronger penalties for shoplifters, standardized retail crime tracking, expanded AI surveillance, and greater collaboration between retailers and public officials.

“Law enforcement and policymakers must treat retail crime as an urgent economic and safety issue,” said the Council.