Svensk Handel highlights 22.9 billion SEK cost of retail crime

Svensk Handel has launched its annual Security Week to draw attention to the massive financial and social impact of theft and crime within the Swedish retail sector. The organization reports that the total cost of these crimes has reached 22.9 billion SEK, a figure that includes the value of stolen goods as well as expenses for security measures and the impact on employee work environments.

To visualize this scale, a 20-meter long receipt totaling 22.9 billion SEK was displayed at the Swedish Parliament and on the facade of Svensk Handel’s headquarters in Stockholm. Nina Jelver, security chief at Svensk Handel, emphasized that the issue extends beyond monetary loss, noting that shop owners and employees face daily insecurity and threats.

The organization is also addressing a low rate of crime reporting, which they argue prevents police from identifying repeat offenders and organized crime groups. According to the third-quarter 2026 Safety Barometer, nearly half of all stores have been exposed to various types of crime or threatening situations, with 41 percent reporting thefts in the past week.