Holiday shoplifting at 20-year high: Indian-Australian retailers reveal impact and losses

With the festive rush underway, shoplifting has surged across Australia, reaching a 20-year high, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. We speak with Sydney based Gurmeet Tuli, head of Little India Australia, representing nearly 90 Indian-origin small businesses. Tuli notes that while theft peaks for Indian businesses around Diwali, the broader holiday period consistently brings the highest losses, often 8–12%. He shares common patterns observed in these crimes and practical steps retailers can take to protect their stores.

Various reports and statistics reveal that not only are shoplifting incidences at an all-time high, but also that shoplifting is becoming an acceptable behaviour in younger age groups. Gurmeet Tuli (left) shares the experiences of Indian-origin retailers. Credit: Supplied by Gurmeet Tuli/Getty Images

Disclaimer: The views presented in this interview are that of the interviewee.

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