Victorian retailers say they are struggling to contain an escalation in store crimes as the cost-of-living crisis deepens.

IGA bottle shop manager Sandra Sutera told 9News she feared theft was getting worse.

From alcohol to groceries, she said supermarket workers have just about seen it all.

Retailers say theft is rising at supermarkets. (Nine)

”I have been in this field of work for a long time, it’s getting worse, more thefts, more violence,” Sutera said.

”They try and catch you off guard and they put things in their pockets, down their pants.

Sutera believed soaring prices of products due to inflation was having an influence.

“You get good people that are doing silly things,” she said.

“Some people are too proud to ask for money and then they steal and it’s really sad.”

IGA Bottle Shop Manager Sandra Sutera has told 9News she feared theft was getting worse. (Nine)

Colleague Hossain Akbar said he was noticing a rise in the theft of common grocery items. 

“People are complaining about the prices going up, they can’t afford them. But that’s not an excuse to steal.,” he said.

“Especially with garlic and ginger because it’s expensive. They are always putting them in their pockets and their jumpers.”

Australian Retailers Association chief industry affairs officer Fleur Brown said preventing theft was on top of the agenda for retailers.

She said theft also had a profound impact on staff members.

Garlic is often stolen by customers. (Nine)

“We have seen a steady increase,” she said.

“We are very conscious of the impact on their staff, mental health impacts, stress, there’s apprehension about attacks and you know, this kind of increase in theft.

“It’s also having a significant impact on their bottom line.”

Brown said it was recommended for business owners to install CCTV and security cameras for extra protection.

“Technology will play a really strong part in the future of retail crime,” she said.

Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.
You May Also Like

The sweet smell of freedom! Drug kingpin Tony Mokbel shops for perfume in Myer during his first day of life on the outside in 18 years

Melbourne crime boss Tony Mokbel has spent his first day of freedom…

South Carolina has chance for March Madness repeat after rout of Texas

TAMPA, Fla. — Joyce Edwards fed Tessa Johnson who pulled up for…

Alleged poachers busted with 56 times legal limit of abalone in Victoria

Two men have allegedly been caught with 56 times the legal limit…

'Pro-Palestinian' Activists Take Over McGill University in Montreal

It’s not an accident that the latest campus uprising is happening…