The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and National Retail Association (NRA) have acknowledged positive results released this week by South Australia around retail theft and broader crime categories, as an example of what’s achievable nationally.

South Australian Treasurer, Stephen Mulligan, said the state has seen a drop for the fifth consecutive month in shop theft. Alongside a 10% drop in overall theft offences across the state, this demonstrates the tangible effect the expansion of Operation Measure is having on the retail sector.

The statistics are encouraging for retailers who have been facing devastating, dangerous and costly incidents of retail theft and other crime, says ARA CEO Chris Rodwell.

“Retail crime is a top concern across our industry, which employs one in ten Australians,” he said. “It has a profound effect on the wellbeing of many retail team members and the broader business impacts can be long lasting and costly.

“Everyone has a right to feel safe at work or shopping and we hope the results coming out of South Australia push other governments to lift their response.”

Mr Rodwell says the South Australian Government has consistently led the country with its response program to retail crime. He also notes strong progress in New South Wales due to changes to retail crime legislation in the state.

“Recent figures reveal more than 100 people have been charged under NSW’s tougher laws to help protect retail workers, including many repeat offenders,” he said.

In the past year, crime reporting platform Auror suggested incidents of retail crime number 700,000 nationally, with more than half involving an assault or weapon. Retail crime conservatively equates to an estimated $9 billion of losses for retail businesses.

“Retail crime is a scourge on our community and business wellbeing and unfortunately, it is not going away on its own,” Mr Rodwell said.

“We are keen to see leadership from the Federal Government to address this issue from a national perspective and call on governments in Victoria, Queensland, and the ACT to move forward with their own legislation in his area.”

The ARA and NRA will hold a national Retail Crime Symposium in Melbourne in July, bringing together top leaders from retail, government and law enforcement from around Australia. The symposium is a powerful opportunity to develop solutions to the urgent issues attached to retail crime.