GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Food Theft Statistics

Food theft statistics indicate that a significant portion of the world's population engages in the unauthorized taking of food items.

Last Updated: June 23, 2024

Written & Summarized by: Jannik Lindner

How we write

In this post, we will explore the alarming prevalence and impact of food theft in the retail industry. With statistics revealing significant losses and widespread incidents of theft targeting food items, the implications for supermarkets, bakeries, restaurants, and consumers are substantial. Stay tuned to gain insight into the staggering figures and trends associated with food theft both domestically and globally.

Statistic 1

"Approximately 57% of supermarket loss comes from theft including food items."

Statistic 2

"The supermarket industry loses roughly $6 billion per year due to food theft."

Statistic 3

"Bakeries are highly targeted for food theft, with around 25.4% of their total stocks being stolen."

Statistic 4

"A Food Marketing Institute study revealed that food theft is 1.62% of total sales in supermarkets."

Statistic 5

"Shoplifting and employee theft account for over 75% of food retail businesses' loss."

Statistic 6

"According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention, around 27 million people in the U.S. have admitted to stealing food."

Statistic 7

"Data from the University of Leicester revealed that shoplifting and theft account for 1.3% of sales loss in the U.S., including food items."

Statistic 8

"Supermarket theft in the U.K., which mostly involves food products, costs approximately £500 million every year."

Statistic 9

"According to a report, every Australian shopper pays an extra $290 a year at the checkout to cover the cost of theft, a significant portion being food items."

Statistic 10

"In New Zealand, around 14% of theft-related crimes reported to the police each year reflect food theft."

Statistic 11

"A report from the US National Retail Federation estimated that in 2018, theft (including food theft) cost retailers more than $50.6 billion."

Statistic 12

"Cheese is one of the most frequently stolen food items in the world, accounting for 4% of all theft from grocery stores."

Statistic 13

"More than 20% of US restaurant operators reported they had been victims of theft, with food theft being a significant portion."

Statistic 14

"In Japan, 78.6% of all shoplifting cases recorded by the police involved foodstuff theft."

Statistic 15

"Approximately 8% of all Americans have stolen at least once from a store, often targeting food items."

Statistic 16

"The Videosurveillance.com study revealed that about half of all shoplifters in the U.S steal groceries and food items."

Food theft is a pervasive issue in the retail industry, with statistics painting a concerning picture of rampant theft of food items from supermarkets, bakeries, restaurants, and grocery stores worldwide. The substantial financial impact of food theft is evident, costing billions of dollars each year and leading to increased prices for consumers. Shoplifting and employee theft are identified as the primary culprits behind the significant losses suffered by food retail businesses. The prevalence of food theft across various countries underscores the need for heightened security measures and preventive strategies to combat this pervasive problem and protect retailers from substantial financial losses.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik is the Co-Founder of Gitnux and has been working in the digital space since 2016. He is specialized in content and tech.

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