Grocery stores across Finland are facing an increasing number of thefts, threats and violence, with the number of reported incidents tripling since 2020.
According to a survey by the Finnish Commerce Federation, shoplifting losses cost retailers half a billion euros in 2022. The same amount was spent on measures to beef up security.
Incidents of shoplifting have sharply increased in Helsinki in particular. Recently, Yle reported that shoplifting cases in the Finnish capital have increased by 60 percent in a year, according to the Helsinki Region Chamber of Commerce.
Retailer Mikko Länsiluoto, who runs the K-Supermarket in Postitalo in downtown Helsinki, told Yle that he currently spends three to four hours each week dealing with shoplifting and various other disturbances.
According to Länsiluoto, disruptive behaviour has increased in the downtown area, which is reflected in the store by the rise in shoplifting incidents, especially involving alcohol. He said over 100 people were detained at the store last year.
Camera surveillance at self-checkout
Stores are using various methods to combat shoplifting and related threats. At Länsiluoto's K-Supermarket in Postitalo, live camera surveillance at self-checkout stations has recently been introduced.
Staff also use walkie-talkie style radios, which is an old but effective method, according to Länsiluoto. In addition, more valuable products are tagged with alarms that sound at the exit if someone tries to steal them.
Yle recently reported that an S-market on Bulevardi is tackling a increase in the theft of meat products by moving them behind the cash register.
According to Länsiluoto, increasing security at the store is becoming a significant expense to his business.
He added that investigating thefts and disturbances also consumes staff working hours and takes time away from serving customers.
Increased threats
Retailer S-Group said it has introduced secure checkouts and body cameras in its smaller stores as a means of tackling shoplifting and threats to staff.
Secure checkouts feature cashier workstations enclosed on all sides by plexiglass panels, with two access points. The cashier accesses the secure checkout booth using a personal key card.
Previously limited to the Helsinki metropolitan area, these checkouts have now been installed in Tampere at the Sale outlet in Amuri and the newly opened Sale Hippos.
"The world has changed in such a way that there is now demand for secure checkouts," said Meeri Pirinen, Director of the Sale grocery chain at Pirkanmaan Osuuskauppa, noting that threats have become more brazen.
She added that Sale stores plan to soon introduce body cameras for staff, in order to better protect them. The cameras are already used in Helsinki and will expand to other regions, possibly Pirkanmaa, this year.
Lidl’s communications unit told Yle that while some of their checkouts have plexiglass to protect staff, they currently have no plans to implement dedicated secure checkout booths.
Petri Käyhkö, Head of Corporate Security at retail group Kesko, said it relies on prevention, staff training, security, store detectives and video surveillance.
