Germany’s interior and home retail sector is facing a growing crisis. According to data released by the EHI Retail Institute, shoplifting losses across the country surged to €3 billion in 2024, marking a 20% rise compared to 2022. The spike is not only a financial blow but also a warning sign of the increasing scale and sophistication of retail crime.
What’s especially alarming for interior-focused businesses is the nature of the theft: one in three incidents are linked to organised shoplifting rings, with a clear pattern of targeting high-ticket, easily concealed items—common in furniture, decor, and homeware stores.
Organised Crime Targets High-Value Retail
Unlike traditional petty theft, this new wave of criminal activity often involves coordinated groups with strategic intent. Home goods retailers are particularly vulnerable, as many valuable items remain untagged and are often displayed in open-plan store formats.
Industry leaders are now sounding the alarm.
“This trend is unsustainable,” said Stefan Genth, Managing Director of the German Retail Association (HDE). “The government must step up. We need legislation that reflects the seriousness of this threat.”
Underreporting and Frustrated Retailers
Despite the massive economic hit, official police statistics suggest a marginal decrease in reported theft cases. But that data doesn’t reflect reality. Many retailers are opting not to file police reports due to low conviction rates and bureaucratic challenges—creating a growing pool of unreported losses.
As a result, the actual damage to the sector is likely far worse than the data shows.
Retail Sector Demands Policy Overhaul
The HDE is calling for urgent policy interventions, including:
- Stronger judicial resources to ensure cases are pursued and punished.
- Criminal law reform to introduce harsher penalties for gang-related retail theft.
- Procedural changes to stop prosecutors from routinely dropping cases due to efficiency considerations.
“Retailers need the law on their side,” Genth added. “Shoplifting should not be treated as a minor offence—it’s a serious crime with serious consequences.”
What This Means for the Interior Retail Sector
As consumer habits evolve and footfall returns post-COVID, retailers are already battling margin pressure and supply chain volatility. The rise in sophisticated theft adds a new layer of risk that could further undermine profitability—especially for retailers that rely on in-store experiences and large-format showrooms.
Without intervention, theft may become yet another inflationary force, quietly driving up costs across the entire home and interior ecosystem.
At a time when the sector should be focusing on innovation, customer experience, and e-commerce integration, businesses are instead diverting attention to security investments, legal consultations, and loss prevention strategies.
Stay tuned to 365247 Media for more insight into how macroeconomic trends and legislative shifts are shaping the future of global retail.
