New Victorian crime data confirms retail crime is at crisis levels, with retail stores a top target peak bodies the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) said today.
The Victoria Government's Crime Statistics Agency's (CSA) report for the year ending June 2025 showed recorded retail crime offences in Victoria rose 20% from 82,748 to 99,114. This is the highest level of retail crime in a decade and makes retail the third-highest location for crime after private dwellings and streets/footpaths.
Thefts from retail stores increased 26% or by 7,435 to 36,254, alleged offender incidents, and criminal incidents were up 73% since 2022 - the highest recorded figures since CSA reporting began in 2015 - 2016. Assault and related offences in retail settings also climbed 21% year-on-year.
ARA CEO Chris Rodwell said the data confirms what retail teams see on a daily basis and renewed calls for urgent action from the Victorian Government.
"Today's figures are grim and confirm Victoria's retail crime crisis is only getting worse. We're seeing a criminal offence at least once every five minutes in a retail setting, an assault every couple of hours and cases of aggravated robbery and weapon related offences daily or more.
"While this reported data is alarming, the sad reality is it underestimates the true figure, as so much retail crime still goes unreported. The toll this is having on our retail workers is unacceptable.
"Unfortunately, Victoria remains the only state without strict, proactive legislation on retail crime to protect retail workers and customers. Without tougher penalties and stronger police powers to apprehend offenders, incidents will continue to escalate.
"That's why the ARA and NRA are calling for immediate reforms: a dedicated Police Taskforce for Retail Crime, introducing enforceable Workplace Protection Orders, implementing streamlined online reporting, and legislating increased police search powers through initiatives like Jack's Law. These proven measures are working elsewhere in Australia and must be adopted in Victoria to protect the state's retail workforce.
"Retail crime is a top risk for retailers, whether it relates to safety of people, operational impacts or financial costs. The collective annual bill runs at more than $9 billion - an unacceptable burden for retailers and a cost which finds its way to the higher prices at the checkout.
"Retailers need governments to act before the situation worsens. The risks to worker and customer safety, business viability and community confidence are not receding. We've seen a number of strong state-based responses to the retail crime crisis in some parts of the country. It's critical the Victoria Government follows suit. We also need the Federal Government to coordinate the states to ensure a nationally consistent response."
