A representative sample of RGDATA members participated in the 2025 survey assessing the prevalence and impact of crime in the independent convenience/grocery retail sector. The respondents are from rural and urban areas and include convenience stores, forecourt stores and supermarkets.

The data reveals growing concern and direct experience with crime, particularly theft, with strong consensus on the need for consistent enforcement of laws.

Retailers are also concerned about the significant costs they incur dealing with retail crime at a time when increased business costs are threatening the viability of their businesses.

The sample base is 420 retailers.

Key Findings

1. Prevalence of Crime

· 95% of respondents reported being victims of crime in the past 12 months.

· Shoplifting was by far the most common offence, cited by 410 respondents.

· Staff theft was reported by 180 businesses.

· 20 respondents noted that weapons had been used during crimes.

2. Law Enforcement & Responses

· 400 retailers contacted the Gardaí in response to criminal activity.

· However, only a small minority expressed satisfaction with Garda response or follow-up—many noted slow response times and a lack of follow-through.

3. Perceived Trends

· Every respondent agreed that retail crime has increased in the past year.

· 410 out of 420 retailers agreed with the statement that they feel afraid to challenge criminals, citing fear of assault or legal repercussions.

4. Attitudes Toward Crime Policy

· All respondents (100%) supported the idea that real enforcement and meaningful sanctions—not just new laws—are the key to tackling retail crime.

· There is strong support for:

o Creating a new offence for violence against retail workers.

o Mandatory barring orders for convicted offenders.

o Improved data-sharing between Gardaí and businesses.

o Fixed penalty notices for shop lifting.

o A meaningful intervention to address youth crime and anti-social behaviour.

Retailer Commentary – Themes & Highlights

Retailers were also invited to provide open-ended comments. Common themes include:

· Lack of deterrents: Many feel that current penalties are too light to discourage repeat offenders.

· Insufficient Garda presence: There is frustration with the visibility and responsiveness of law enforcement.

· Mental and emotional toll: Several comments noted that retail workers feel vulnerable, demoralized, and unsupported.

· Investments in private security: Numerous businesses have had to implement costly security measures, such as alarms, CCTV, personal cameras, and private security guards.

· Call for coordinated efforts: Retailers expressed interest in a national or regional task force, including better communication between Gardaí and retailers.

Retailer Comments

1. Demand for Harsher Penalties

Many retailers are frustrated with what they perceive as soft consequences for offenders.

“They need more than a slap across the hand. They need to be more afraid of what happens when they get caught.” “Harsher penalties… the laws are way too lenient.”

2. Garda Presence and Policing Gaps

Several respondents feel exposed due to insufficient policing.

“More Garda. We are sitting ducks.” “There’s no deterrent. They know they won’t be arrested.”

3. Emotional and Economic Toll

The human impact of repeated incidents was highlighted, including fear, burnout, and financial strain.

“Theft and abuse have become daily occurrences. It’s exhausting.” “There should be some kind of rebate system for retailers who are victims of crime.”

4. Lack of Follow-through by Authorities

Retailers expressed disillusionment over the Gardaí’s follow-up and justice system outcomes.

“You report it but then hear nothing.” “Zero tolerance needed. Even underage offenders—fine the parents.”

5. Support for Zero Tolerance & Reforms

A repeated call emerged for stricter enforcement, prison terms for serial offenders that are actually served, community accountability, and visibility of sanctions.

Calls for a Retail Crime Taskforce within the Gardai to address this epidemic of criminal activity in shops.

“Retailers should not have to become security guards.”

The 2025 Retail Crime Survey paints a stark picture of rising crime, inadequate law enforcement response, and a retail sector under siege. While there is cautious optimism about new legislative efforts, the retail community is united in its belief that real change hinges on enforcement, accountability, and protection for frontline staff.

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With retail crime costing convenience stores an estimated £125 million annually (ACS Crime Report 2023) in the UK, and a third of shoppers witnessing violence towards staff, the need for secure, discreet communication is paramount. Yet, many rely on outdated or unsecured methods, leaving staff feeling vulnerable and isolated.

Amid the dramatic rise in retail-crime, 85% of small retail store owners admit to having challenges with communication in-store, exacerbated by team members having no way to speak with each other discreetly without customers overhearing confidential exchanges. This is according to the latest research by VoCoVo, a voice technology innovator for the retail industry. The survey polled over 200 UK decision-makers of small-store and independent retailers.

Security and safety is a major challenge for small retailers, with crime across UK convenience stores estimated to cost £125m a year, according to the ACS Crime Report 2023. The same report uncovered that one-third of shoppers have witnessed violence or abuse towards shop workers in the past year.

Despite the pressing need for secure and instant communication, almost half (49%) of small-store retailer workers rely on texting or apps like WhatsApp to communicate with each other in-store. This is followed by calling each other on mobile phones (46%), which are often personal devices, and worryingly, ‘waving, pointing and facial expressions’ is the third most common (43%).

When asked for the main reason colleagues need to communicate with each other in their retail locations, 43% said ‘to alert to security issues’. In a confined retail environment where situations can arise and escalate fast, the ability to quickly alert colleagues to potential dangers like shoplifting in progress or medical emergency is paramount.

Rob Gamlin, Founder and Co-CEO, VoCoVo, said: “Retail-crime remains an ongoing and worrying threat to small retail stores and it was perhaps not surprising to discover that so many colleagues are reliant on their own mobile devices to communicate and feel more secure. While these devices are ideal in everyday life, more effective retail communication solutions are designed to handle the specific demands of such environments.

“Unlike mobile devices, effective, discreet in-store communication technology allows colleagues to quickly and easily communicate with all team members to help them manage and de-escalate difficult situations. We know from conversations with retail store owners that the visible presence of headsets alone can often be a deterrent for would-be shoplifters. Fortunately, investing in secure communication channels doesn’t need to break the bank, but its absence can cost dearly in terms of safety and security.”

VoCoVo’s survey uncovered that more than one in eight (13%) colleagues admitted to feeling unsafe and vulnerable on the shop floor, whilst a similar number (12%) expressed feelings of isolation and loneliness.

This highlights the human cost of inadequate communication channels and security measures in UK convenience stores.

Visit VoCoVo’s website to find out more about how VoCoVo Link is helping small retailers tackle retail-crime: https://link.vocovo.com/en-GB

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A survey of RGDATA members has revealed that over 95% of shop owners have been victims of crime in the last 12 months.

The owners of over 400 convenience shops, forecourt stores and supermarkets throughout Ireland responded to the survey which highlights the serious challenges that local community-based retailers are facing in dealing with high levels of crime each day.

Over two thirds of retailers now feel more vulnerable in their shops than they did in the past.

The RGDATA Crime Survey reveals that a staggering 93% of respondents have been victims of shoplifting, 40% have suffered due to fraud in their shops and 25% have been the victims of robberies/burglaries.

Whilst 58% were satisfied with the response from the Gardai to reports of criminal activity in their shops, most respondents felt that the Gardai could do more to follow up with victims of retail crime.

Retailers commented positively on the Garda response for robberies and acts involving direct violence, however they were critical of the Garda response to reports about shoplifting and drive offs.

Retailers in areas where Garda numbers have been reduced say this is having a direct impact on response times and the deterrent factor for criminals.

Retailers were deeply critical of the court system for failing to impose proper sanctions or deterrents against offenders convicted of retail crimes. There is a strong sense that people charged with crimes against retailers do not receive an adequate sentence for the offence committed and the impact that it has on the business owner.

Many retailers commented that there is a persistent problem with thefts carried out by minors, fuel drive offs and repeat offenders, with the criminal justice system doing little to deter or educate the offender or restore the victim to the status quo before the crime took place.

Commenting on the survey, Tara Buckley, RGDATA Director General said.

“The RGDATA survey clearly shows that there is an epidemic of crime hitting local community-based retailers in Ireland. Local family-owned shops are suffering significantly from hugely elevated levels of theft and a deep frustration that crimes such as shoplifting and fuel theft are considered “petty” and seen as acceptable and tolerated.

“There are clear messages for An Garda Siochana and the judicial system. The Gardai need to be responsive to reports of retail crime and not let an impression be created that some crimes are too small to be investigated. There is no such thing as a petty crime for the business owner that has to fund the losses incurred and manage the impact on the mental health and morale of the staff working in the store. The Courts need to be stronger and more consistent in sentencing policies for retail crimes, and in particular for repeat offenders. If the Courts are not imposing realistic penalties on those convicted of robbing shops, it is little wonder that the Gardai can seem to have little incentive to investigate and prosecute cases.”

RGDATA will be presenting the findings of the research to An Garda Siochana as well as the Minister for Justice, Simon Harris.

“RGDATA is calling for the introduction of specific offences dealing with retail crimes and abuse, harassment and violence towards shop owners and retail staff. If the current patterns of offending continue, the risk to the personal safety of business owners and their employees and the viability of their businesses will result in many owners simply shutting up shop.”

Summary of responses from RGDATA Crime Survey 2023

The RGDATA survey indicates that over the last 12 months;

• 93% of retailers have been victims of shoplifting.
• 40% have been victims of fraudulent activity.
• 25% said that they had been subjected to violent burglaries and robberies in their shops.
• 75% felt that levels of crime have become more dangerous over the last 12 months and they feel more vulnerable and more concerned about the staff in their shops than in the past.

• Weapons were used in over a quarter of the crimes, including;
• Knives, machetes and swords

• Wheel braces, hammers and crowbars
• Firearms
• Syringes
• Axes

• Bottles
• Shop owners and their staff were also subject to many abusive behaviours by people engaging in criminal activity in their stores including

• Screaming and shouting
• Spitting
• Punching & Kicking
• Sexual harassment
• False defamation claims

• Gardai were called in over 92% of cases, and response times ranged from;
• 0- 15 minutes – 27%
• 15- 30 minutes – 30%

• 30 – 60 minutes – 17 %

• Over an hour – 26%
• Over half of the retailers (58%) were satisfied with the Garda response to the crime and just under 55% have been kept updated on the investigation into the crime at their shop.

• In 10% of cases, a retailer’s home and family were threatened during a shop robbery and burglary.
• More than 50% of perpetrators of crime were from the retailer’s locality while 48% came from outside the local area.
• Only 25% of the perpetrators were prosecuted and convicted – with nearly 75% not being pursued by the State.
• On those convicted only 19% received a custodial sentence.

Survey sample – 405 retailers – survey conducted between 10th January and 1 February 2023

Retailer quotes

Shoplifting seems to be becoming an “acceptable” thing that retailers just have to “put up with”. That’s not right. Education in schools, gardaí visiting schools, more proactive in crime prevention. Retailer – Mayo

I’d like to see shoplifting taken more seriously & not considered a petty crime. the law is against the retailer as the onus is on them to prove the crime – Retailer – Clare

Our recent robbery cost us €1200 plus upset staff – thankfully no one was injured. However, it’s frustrating that we never get back money robbed. Retailer – Cork City

In terms of youth offending, nothing ever happens, we have 2 different groups of youth whom in my opinion cause havoc, not just in my stores but in the others, most retailers in my area are fed up calling garda, the youths abuse staff both verbally and have been known to throw items at my staff and nothing happens. Tonight, i had to call the garda again it nuts and out of control. Retailer – Co Dublin

Staff have the right to a safe working environment. We do an honest days work and the stress of shoplifters is harmful to our health and wellbeing. We can’t catch all of them. We do our best. But small businesses suffer the most. A lot go out of business because of thugs that feel entitled to help themselves. Our area seems to be getting worse by the day and as Gardai do not even turn up or answer their phone, we are all sitting ducks out here. Thieves know nothing will be done. I understand they staff limitations, but the government has to deal with this issue. Staff go onto social welfare because they can’t deal with the stress. So the government are paying them anyway. So why not stricter punishments and more power to the Guards? The mind boggles how thieves get away with everything. So sad in this day and age. Retailer – Co Dublin

Someone needs to start taking it seriously! I’m fed up with the attitudes of some of the Garda when they do arrive… I just can’t afford to keep writing the losses off! Retailer – Co Dublin

My interest in a theft ends when it is committed and turned over to Gardai. There is zero chance of any goods either being paid for or damage caused compensated. The only outcome that is certain after a claim is that my insurance premium will go up on renewal. Retailer- Co Meath

There is no deterrent whatsoever to theft. Shoplifters have no fear of the law as usually they have nothing to lose in going to court. The burden of proof on retailers is so stressful that most either don’t bother reporting the crime or see it as a waste of resources. Retailer – Co Kerry

A number of those who have been barred out of the shop will threaten staff, to date just verbally: “I’ll put you to sleep,” “I’ll kill you at home in your bed.” Retailer – Co Carlow

Even with an armed robbery there was little follow up. We had to keep calling them. The only time we got follow up was when a young lad hit the panic button for shoplifting. Then the gardai wanted to give us a training lecture on the appropriate times to use the panic button. Retailer – Co Dublin

In most cases we want the perpetrators warned and barred, as most are minors. It feels like an exercise in futility to try to prosecute. Retailer – Co Mayo

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