German retail and police unions target rising shoplifting costs

Retailers and police unions in Germany are calling for increased action against shoplifting, which is estimated to cost the German retail sector approximately three billion euros annually. In 2025, there were 357,651 simple and 25,445 serious shoplifting incidents recorded nationwide, though the Handelsverband Deutschland (HDE) estimates the actual number of unreported crimes exceeds 90 percent.

The HDE has launched a campaign providing free downloadable posters to help shop owners signal that theft will not be tolerated. Meanwhile, the Gewerkschaft der Polizei (GdP) has criticized the current handling of these crimes, stating that shoplifting is no longer a minor offense but often involves professional or organized gangs. The GdP argues that these costs are ultimately passed on to consumers through higher food prices and is calling on the government for more police and judicial personnel, modern investigative powers, and more consistent prosecution.