Centre for Retail Research: Czech Republic, Slovakia have highest retail crime rate

The Czech Republic and Slovakia have the highest retail crime rate in the European Union, according to a survey by the British agency Centre for Retail Research. While the average shrinkage, or stock loss from crime or wastage, suffered by stores throughout Europe was 1.25 percent of turnover last year, the Czech Republic and Slovakia both suffered a loss of 1.4 percent of turnover. According to the agency, the overall value of goods stolen in the Czech Republic in 2005 was 13 billion crowns (542 million dollars). Losses from shoplifting amounted to 6 billion crowns, employees stole goods worth 4.2 billion and suppliers were responsible for losses of 750 million crowns.