More shoplifting – other products are also stolen

Prices are rising – In addition to gas and electricity, many foods are also affected by hefty surcharges. But does higher inflation also lead to more shoplifting?

Read also

First of all, today’s inflation data: According to economists, the inflation rate fell below 5 percent in September

The number of shoplifting is increasing

According to the British and American Retail Associations, the number of shoplifting cases has risen dramatically, Deutsche Welle reports. In the discussion, a frequent link is made to the rising cost of living. Also in Germany, the number of shoplifting operations rose significantly compared to the previous year, Frank Horst of the EHI Retail Institute told DW. Reported shoplifting cases have increased by 30 percent, an EHI Retail Institute study showed this summer.

More thefts due to inflation?

However, Frank Horst does not believe that inflation is the cause of this increase. He told DW that there was an artificial decline during the pandemic because many stores were not open. He explains the increase as follows: “What seems dramatic at first is actually just a return to normalcy.” If inflation has an impact, it will be reflected in next year’s polls, DW wrote.

Read also

More than one in three Germans suffer from physical symptoms such as headaches due to financial worries

Emphasis is placed on new products

Horst told DW that there is evidence that inflation in Germany affects shoplifting behaviour. There is a change in theft behavior – products that were previously not of interest are increasingly being stolen.

Inflation means that people will not steal more overall, they will steal differently. The new target is basic foods such as cheese, meat and sausages. “You can assume that this also has to do with inflation and the rising prices of these products. So more people are stealing these products rather than buying them.

Oh