Media Release: Shop Theft

27 August 2003

New Zealand Retailers Association Gets Behind 2003 Shop Theft Survey

A major shop theft workshop was held today to coincide with the release of the interim results of the 2003 Shop Theft Internet Survey by Dr John Guthrie of Otago University.

The event was attended by some 15 interested parties representing suppliers, consultants, the Police and retail loss prevention managers of leading retail chains throughout New Zealand and was opened by the Hon Judith Tizard, Minister of Consumer Affairs.

The workshop had two prime objectives said Barry Hellberg on behalf of the Association.

These were to allow Dr Guthrie to present the interim results of his research which shows that shrinkage accounts for 1.2% of turnover, or some $564m per annum, and allow the results to be discussed by attendees to the workshop.

The other was to look at specific initiatives that the Association could take in the light of the research to mitigate the extent of shop theft in New Zealand.

In past years the Association has run a number of seminars both regionally and nationally throughout New Zealand.

However, other initiatives discussed at the workshop included:

• consideration of the current legislation governing theft and what changes may be desirable;
  
• greater use of civil recovery as a means of reducing the incidence of theft;
  
• the possible appointment of a security consultant to the Association;
  
• the preparation of a simple booklet aimed at owner  operators to assist them to address shoptheft problems; and
  
• further educational initiatives in association with the Police, Local Government and insurance industry.

"I am particularly pleased to have been able to work with the Association on this survey", said Dr Guthrie of Otago University.

Dr Guthrie's survey results will provide a very useful basis to the industry to fully appreciate the magnitude of the current shop theft problem in New Zealand.

"It is now up to the Association to take the issue forward to examine specific issues and devise particular strategies to lessen the incidence of both staff and customer theft in New Zealand", added Dr Guthrie.

We expect that the work programme resulting from this workshop will be a major feature of our next years business plan concluded Barry Hellberg

-end-

Further Information: 

Barry Hellberg                                                   021 673 480
 Government Relations Consultant
bhellberg@retail.org.nz

or

 Dr John Guthrie                                                025 2013534
 Director, Retail Research
Otago University

Barry Hellberg is the Government Relations Consultant for the Association. His main tasks include liaison with Government and Government agencies on a wide range of industry issues.

Dr Guthrie is Director of the NZ Centre for Retail Research and Studies in the Department of Marketing at the University of Otago.

The survey was commissioned by NZRetail, the leading business magazine to the retail industry in New Zealand.