In 2025 losses from shoplifting in Germany exceeded €3 billion for the first time, prompting a joint appeal from the German Retail Federation (Handelsverband Deutschland, HDE) and the German Police Union (Gewerkschaft der Polizei, GdP) for stricter criminal and structural measures.
Figures and trends
According to the EHI Retail Institute, losses from shoplifting in 2025 were 25 percent higher than in 2022. Federal Ministry of the Interior statistics show that 283,096 such offences were recorded in 2025; nearly one third of these were committed by organized criminal groups.
HDE and GdP proposals
In a joint initiative, the HDE and the GdP urged policymakers to implement comprehensive structural reforms. Key proposals include:
- Significant upgrades to personnel and technical infrastructure for the police, public prosecutors and courts.
- Establishing a clear legal framework for open in-store camera surveillance and the deployment of AI-based video analysis.
- Closer inter-agency cooperation to dismantle criminal networks specializing in large-scale shop theft.
Stefan Genth, chief executive of the HDE, stressed that organized, commercially operated offender groups are using increasingly professional methods, and called for immediate political action so that professional shoplifters face tangible consequences.
Bureaucracy and weak law enforcement
Industry representatives point to bureaucratic obstacles and weak law enforcement that mean reports rarely lead to convictions, contributing to repeat offending. The most frequently targeted items include premium spirits, branded sunglasses, belts and scarves, battery-powered devices and digital storage media.
The HDE warned that rising losses are ultimately passed on to consumers through higher retail prices, adding to inflationary pressure on households.
Why this matters
Shoplifting imposes a substantial financial burden on the retail sector and, indirectly, on consumers. The HDE and GdP proposals — increased police and justice system capacity, modern technical equipment and clear legal rules for retail surveillance — aim to enable a more effective response to organized theft.
Against the background of EHI data, interior ministry statistics and the retailers’ recommendations, a policy debate on the required measures is under way.
An AI assistant contributed to the preparation of this article; the final content was edited and verified by our journalist.
