The newly proposed penalties for shoplifting announced by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee this week "are a positive step in the fight against retail crime," according to Retail NZ.
As part of the proposed changes, people who steal lower-value goods from a retail store could be hit with a fine of up to NZ$500. This climbs to NZ$1,000 for goods worth more.
Retail theft penalties can also include prison time for goods worth up to NZ$2,000, and a maximum of seven years for serious offences.
Goldsmith also announced a new aggravating factor for high-value shoplifting that includes offensive, threatening, insulting or disorderly actions.
The proposals are part of a list of changes being made to the Crimes Act, which also includes a crack down on one-punch attacks.
Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young said it is great to see new measures being introduced that should broaden opportunities for shoplifting to have significant repercussions.
Young is a member of the Ministerial Advisory Group on retail crime which is developing proposals to tackle retail crime. The advisory group also includes a retail lead at Michael Hill, the founder of Eight PM liquor, a lead at Foodstuffs North Island, and is chaired by Sunny Kaushal.
“Retailers are crying out for proactive solutions that prevent crime and enhance the safety of their staff and customers,” Young said. “Our members continue to face high rates of violence and crime, putting both their employees and the public at risk, as well as threatening the financial sustainability of retail businesses.”
Retail crime is reportedly a significant issue in New Zealand, impacting more than 99 per cent of retailers and costing well over $2.6 billion a year.
Retail NZ’s COMS Retail Crime Report 2024 found that 73 per cent of retailers experienced shoplifting during the year and 58 per cent experienced threatening behaviour.
“Shoplifting is at epidemic levels and recidivist offenders are a big issue,” Young said.
“People shoplift for all sorts of different reasons. Although the cost of living crisis is often being blamed for the increase in retail crime, retailers confirm that the majority of offenders shoplift goods that are clearly unrelated to their daily basic needs.
“Sometimes they are shoplifting to order, sometimes to support their addictions or to gain notoriety on social media.”
The increased penalties announced today will be welcomed by retailers as a good addition to other crime prevention tools like facial recognition technology, security guards, fog cannons, staff training and body cameras.