Crime-hit retailers warn of shop closures and impacted livelihoods over shoplifting

Store owners have hit out at an ever-increasing spate of retail crimes, warning that shoplifters are severely impacting their livelihoods and causing severe stress.

A reported 90% of retailers have experienced shoplifting in the last 12 months. A new survey also reveals 40% have fallen victim to burglary.

In the majority of cases, the retailer informed gardaí of the crime where the general response time was less than 30 minutes.