2025-09-01T01:55:10Z

Imagine walking into your local grocery store, and the most coveted item isn’t the latest iPhone but premium cuts of meat! Shocking, right? Retail crime syndicates are taking theft to a whole new level, with grocery giants like Coles and Woolworths scrambling to implement stringent anti-theft measures as they fend off an alarming wave of thefts.

The statistics tell a harrowing tale. Coles has reported a staggering 28% rise in threatening situations across its stores nationally. Meanwhile, Woolworths faced over 6,000 violent incidents last year alone, with the state of Victoria being a hotspot for this troubling trend. Mike Schneider, the CEO of hardware giant Bunnings, describes these events as an “everyday occurrence.”

According to Griffith University criminology professor Michael Townsley, organized crime groups are the primary culprits behind this uptick in retail crime. It’s startling to learn that roughly 10% of offenders are responsible for a whopping 60% of all harm and losses in retail settings, as highlighted by the crime analytics platform Auror.

While the criminal underworld has long been involved in illicit activities like tobacco and drug trafficking, Townsley argues that retail theft, particularly in Victoria, has become a lucrative venture for these syndicates. However, there’s a divide in perspectives: while Victoria Police downplay the organized crime narrative, believing it’s merely a reflection of better reporting from businesses, Townsley contends that the rise in incidents points to a systemic failure in policing organized retail crime.

It's intriguing yet concerning to note that criminals from New South Wales are even crossing state lines to take advantage of perceived weaknesses in Victoria’s law enforcement efforts. This cross-border crime spree highlights how syndicates feel emboldened, viewing stores in Victoria as a softer target.

Interestingly, the focus of theft has shifted over time. Baby formula used to be the go-to item for thieves, driven by its high demand overseas. Now, everyday items like batteries and razor blades are also hot commodities due to their portability. But it’s the audacity of criminals that’s truly jaw-dropping. They now employ tactics like swarming, where a group of thieves overwhelms store staff, creating chaos while a few members discreetly snag high-value items.

“When they’re asked for a receipt, they’re showing a weapon,” Schneider grimly explains. It’s a reality that staff and customers shouldn't have to face. Reports indicate that armed robberies are now happening at an alarming rate, where thieves demand cash at the register, often involving intimidation and threats within seconds.

This rampant crime wave raises pressing questions about where all these stolen goods end up. The web of organized crime is expanding, with individuals increasingly drawn into a black market ecosystem, often due to financial desperation. A recent police bust revealed a Victorian syndicate accused of stealing over $10 million worth of baby formula and other goods, leading to the arrest of 19 individuals, many on temporary visas.

These stolen goods are then funneled into a network of receivers who sell and distribute them, with the demand for cheaper black market products driving an expanding array of participants beyond hardened criminals. In a bizarre twist, illegal “showrooms” for stolen clothing are popping up in private homes, operating with an exclusivity that would make even luxury boutiques jealous. Facebook Marketplace has also become a hotbed for reselling stolen items, leaving many to wonder how some sellers manage to offer brand-new, tagged merchandise at incredibly low prices.

But it’s not just clothing that’s being pilfered; high-end meat and alcohol are also in high demand. Coles has reported that premium cuts like eye fillet and lamb backstraps are now prime targets for thieves. Struggling local cafes and restaurants often find themselves as customers of these stolen goods, as it allows them to save precious dollars on their ingredient costs. “If it’s $50 of meat and you can get it for $20, that makes a massive difference,” Townsley notes.

The fallout of this theft crisis transcends financial loss. Store employees face not only the immediate danger of violent encounters but also the psychological toll that lingers long after the incident. Anxiety about returning to work and sleepless nights become part of the job description. With millions being poured into anti-theft technology, retailers are also investing in de-escalation training for staff, employing virtual reality to prepare them for real-life scenarios.

Mike Schneider encapsulates the sentiment shared among retailers: “This has gone beyond being a retail crime crisis and has actually become a safety crisis.” As companies adopt various security measures, the cost of theft is ultimately passed down to consumers, complicating the already challenging landscape of grocery shopping in Australia.