Retail

Self-scan checkout contributes to shoplifting in Netherlands

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May 22, 2023

Self-scan checkout has contributed to the rise in shoplifting and is causing supermarkets to scale back the technology, according to Marshoek, a Netherlands based retail advisory group, dutchnews.nl reported.

Shoplifters stole €70 million ($75.67 million) worth of goods last year, an average of €66,300 ($71,671) per store, according to the advisory group, marking a one-third increase (€20,000) ($21,620) over 2021.

The group blamed the increase on self-scan checkout and inflation.

The report was based on research including 306 supermarkets.

According to police records, shoplifting rose 25% to 40,000 incidents last year, the highest level in eight years.