At Mecca in Melbourne’s bustling CBD, the presence of numerous staff members and discreet security guards creates a sense of safety for shoppers. However, even this popular beauty chain has not been spared from the surge in theft, aggression, and violence that plagued Victorian retailers throughout 2025. In a brazen incident last September, the South Yarra Mecca store was ram-raided by a white van, resulting in significant losses.
The crime wave affecting Victoria’s retail sector, which employs around 360,000 workers, has seen a series of alarming incidents. These include a stolen car racing through Northland shopping centre, machete fights, police chases in the CBD, and a dramatic glass door smash at a Melbourne boutique. According to police reports, retail staff encounter criminal activities every few minutes. In October, Chris McKellar, Coles’ state general manager for Victoria, described the situation as a “crime epidemic.”
Escalating Incidents and Retailer Responses
The issue gained widespread attention on December 17 when Woolworths Mordialloc went into lockdown after approximately 100 individuals stormed the store, causing chaos by tearing items off shelves. Gerry Harvey, chairman of Harvey Norman, highlighted the challenges faced by retailers, stating, “Staff are told by every employer, including us, that when the thief comes in, ‘Don’t you take them on. Hide and seek, and let them take whatever they like.’”
Harvey further explained that the lack of engagement from security personnel, due to safety concerns, has emboldened criminals who often wear masks to evade identification. The rise in theft has been attributed to several factors, including repeat offenders, organized crime, economic pressures, and the proliferation of self-checkouts.
“Now every crook knows that — because they’ve done it before in most cases, it’s not their first offence. So, you now have a situation where you can go and steal, in the middle of the day, any time.”
Innovative Measures and Technological Solutions
Retailers are employing a variety of strategies to combat theft and violence. These include removing knives from stores, equipping staff with body-worn cameras, enhancing CCTV coverage, repositioning registers, introducing security guards, and placing valuable products out of public reach. Australian Retailers Association chief executive Chris Rodwell emphasized the importance of staff training in de-escalation and early intervention to prevent incidents from escalating.
Retail bodies are advocating for the banning of repeat offenders from stores, the establishment of statewide retail crime taskforces, and the controversial use of facial recognition technology. Meanwhile, Coles has introduced cutting-edge anti-theft technology at its “loss innovation store” in Highpoint shopping centre. This includes weighted shelves, remotely unlocked cabinets, and AI-driven produce recognition systems.
Coles is using this technology to reduce theft:
- Skip scan: Detects mis-scans at self-service registers
- Produce recognition: AI shows likely produce items to speed up the customer experience
- Bottom of trolley detection: Detects bulk items in a trolley to avoid lifting them out
- Move alert: Sensors that help detect and deter theft
- Weighted shelves (trial): Weight-based technology to detect and deter theft
- Availability cabinets (trial): Cabinets unlocked remotely to protect high-value items
Government and Community Involvement
In response to the crime surge, the Victorian government has passed legislation aimed at reducing violence against retail workers, with penalties ranging from six months to five years in prison. Sarah Gooding, operations director for Victoria and Tasmania at Woolworths, has called for immediate bans on repeat offenders, emphasizing that “Our team’s safety is non-negotiable.”
Police and protective service officers are actively patrolling key areas, including Northland, Highpoint, Eastland, and Fountain Gate, resulting in the seizure of weapons and over 100 arrests. Additionally, industry groups like the Australian Retail Association are investing in campaigns to promote respectful behavior towards staff.
Retail expert Trent Rigby warns that the battle against theft is ongoing. “Unemployment has ticked up, household costs remain high, and expectations around rate cuts seem to have shifted back to the possibility of further rate rises in 2026,” he noted. Rigby suggests that changes in store layout and register placement can mitigate theft without alienating customers.
“You’ve also got the growth of self-checkouts over the last few years, which have been a big contributor to higher shrinkage across supermarkets and discount department stores, and many are now reassessing how heavily they rely on them.”
As the situation evolves, Melbourne’s retailers continue to adapt and innovate, seeking effective solutions to protect their businesses and ensure the safety of their employees and customers.
