Shoplifting targeting Canadian small businesses on the rise, report says

Small business owners have reported another annual increase in crime targeting stores, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business says, continuing a trend that has seen a 66 per cent increase since 2014. (Pexels/Tirachard Kumtanom)

Theft continues to be one of the main crime concerns among Alberta small businesses, new research shows.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) says half of Alberta small business owners believe crime in their communities has increased in the past year.

Only five per cent said crime was declining.

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“Crime and disorder have become part of daily life for many small business owners across Canada,” the CFIB said.

“Incidents that were once rare, now frequently interrupt operations, put staff and customers at risk, and strain already limited resources.”

According to national crime data, police-reported shoplifting incidents of $5,000 or more increased by 14 per cent in 2024 compared to 2023.

It was the fourth year of increases, continuing a trend that saw a 66 per cent increase since 2014.

The report also said 57 per cent of Alberta business owners are concerned about their own safety, the safety of their staff and the safety of their customers.

They’ve gone so far as locking doors during business hours to implementing buddy systems and limiting shifts when employees are forced to work alone.

“Some business owners have told us they’ve spent thousands of dollars on installing security cameras or replacing smashed windows. Some have even said they’d rather take the pandemic over the crime they’re dealing with now,” said Kayode Southwood, CFIB’s senior policy analyst for Alberta in a Wednesday news release.

Southwood says governments need to take action to protect business owners and reduce the financial and emotional strain caused by this increase in crime.

“Owners should not be spending more time and money managing theft, vandalism and safety risks than running their business. The financial strain and emotional toll are exhausting,” Southwood said.

Some of the measures CFIB is pushing all levels of government for include:

• meaningful changes to the Criminal Code to better address repeat and organized crime;
• set service standards for law enforcement response times, as well as better reporting processes and consistent follow up;
• introduce practical supports like security rebates while longer-term solutions are developed; and
• engage with small business owners to share their experiences to direct policy changes.

“Small businesses are doing everything within their power to persevere—investing in their storefronts, supporting local jobs, and caring for their communities—yet they’re paying the price for rising crime,” CFIB said.

“No employee should feel unsafe doing their job, and no owner should have to treat theft, vandalism and break-ins as a ‘cost of doing business.’”