Australian retailers are bracing for another challenging festive season as violent retail crime surges in the lead-up to Christmas.

Data from Auror, a platform used by retailers to report and track incidents, reveals alarming increases in threatening behaviour, physical abuse, and the use of weapons during the holiday period.

Retailers reported a 58 per cent rise in events involving verbal abuse or aggression between 1 November and 24 December 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. Serious incidents, including physical assault, increased by 51 per cent, while reports of weapons being used rose by 38 per cent. Disturbingly, early figures for 2024 suggest that violent retail crime is on track to meet or exceed last year’s totals.

Nick McDonnell, Senior Director of Trust and Safety at Auror, condemned the rise in violence, emphasising the toll it takes on retail workers and shoppers alike.

“No one should be made to feel unsafe at work by these offenders, on top of what is already an incredibly busy time of the year for retailers and police.”

“These events are confronting for staff and customers – we’re talking about threats, verbal abuse, physical assault and even using knives, blades or bats,” McDonnell said. “We see this trend globally – threatening behaviour is a tactic used to get out of the store with stolen goods. Offenders know that staff are, rightly, told not to confront aggressive individuals.”

Auror’s data highlights the organised nature of retail crime.

“Ten per cent of offenders cause about 60 per cent of the total harm and loss in Australia,” McDonnell explained. “Many of the people committing these crimes are not opportunistic shoplifters; they’re operating in organised networks to resell in organised crime groups.”

Early 2024 Data Paints Grim Picture

As of 10 December 2024, incidents involving threatening behaviour were already at 75 per cent of the total reported during the entire 2023 festive period. Similarly, serious incidents were at 74 per cent of last year’s festive season total. These figures underscore the growing challenge faced by retailers and law enforcement.

Organised retail crime is estimated to cost Australian retailers $15 million a day. McDonnell stressed that while the increase in reported incidents is concerning, the data is instrumental in supporting law enforcement efforts. “This information will support law enforcement’s work to identify these violent and organised offenders sooner and make our communities safer,” he said.

Retailers and States Feeling the Pressure

The increase in violent retail crime is not uniform across Australia, with certain states experiencing sharper rises:

  • Victoria: Threatening behaviour rose by 80 per cent, and serious incidents increased by 65 per cent during the 2023 festive period.
  • Queensland: Reports of threatening behaviour climbed by 51 per cent, while serious incidents grew by 50 per cent.
  • New South Wales: Threatening behaviour increased by 49 per cent, and serious incidents rose by 51 per cent.

Targeted Goods and Organised Networks

The most targeted items during the 2023 festive period included clothing, electronics, power tools, and fragrances. For 2024, meat, health and beauty products, alcohol, and clothing are among the most frequently stolen items.

McDonnell reiterated the impact of organised crime on the retail sector.

“Organised retail crime is costing Australian retailers $15 million a day,” he said. “While we’ve seen an increase in reported incidents over the festive period, this information will support law enforcement’s work to identify these violent and organised offenders sooner and make our communities safer.”

As Christmas approaches, retailers are calling for continued vigilance and stronger collaboration between the industry and law enforcement to combat this escalating issue.

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