Stealing Food From Markets Is A Global Phenomenon

A man will lose his hand for stealing food in Iran, however that doesn't seem to be the case for thieves in other countries. The Center for Retail Research's Global Retail Theft Barometer shows that the average family has paid $185.59 extra due to the increase in prices in relation to money loss due to theft. The 2010 Barometer Study consisted of forty-two nations including the United States, France, Germany, Australia, Brazil, China, Turkey, and Russia. A total of 1,103 retail corporations took part in the study and revealed that stock loss from crime has cost retailers and the public nearly $107.3 billion dollars. It has cost retailers almost one and a half percent of their total retail sales.

Shoplifting accounts for the largest bit of the lost revenue, accounting for 42.4 percent of shrinkage and $45.4 billion. However, in the United States, Canada, and Australia employee theft exceeded customer theft. The Asia Pacific region and Europe had the largest shrinkage due to shoplifting. India has the highest percentage of shrinkage in proportion to retail sales and Taiwan has the least. Nearly three percent of India's retail sales are lost due to theft.

So far in 2010, employees of the food industry have caught 6.2 million people stealing. Branded alcohol seems to be the most popular item to steal among thieves. Some of the most popular stolen items include, whiskey, beer, tea, coffee, meat, and more expensive cheeses such as Parmesan. Certified Angus raw meat seems to be on the top of the list.

A global crime is any crime that is committed everywhere, no mater when you go. Theft is one type of crime that doesn't just happen in certain places; it happens everywhere and anywhere. People steal from places such as small rural gas stations, all the way to Walmart and Harris Teeter. Being that theft occurs everywhere, it makes it a serious global issue. Because so much money is lost in the retail business, prices are increased. This puts a burden on the average household. Money is tight in this economy as it is, so inflated prices at the grocery store only adds to the struggle. The average household would save so much money annually if more thieves were caught and punished. Reducing the theft rate in the food industry will in return lower prices of groceries.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/stealing-food-from-markets-is-a-global-phenomenon.html