Overview

• Last year saw 43,910 reported shoplifting cases, a 6.7% decline according to the Interior Ministry.
• An EHI Retail Institute study estimates roughly 24 million unreported thefts annually, representing €2.8 billion in losses.
• Professional gangs use coordinated tactics to target high-value items such as luxury clothing, electronics and cosmetics.
• More than a quarter of suspects were under 18 and over half lacked German citizenship, prompting calls to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 14.
• Retailers spend about €200 million a year on security measures and want closer cooperation with law enforcement.