Australia finds itself in the midst of its busiest shopping season, and while retail workers strive to meet the demands of eager shoppers, a more troubling issue is emerging in the country’s largest retail outlets. As Christmas approaches, a time notorious for increased retail activity, there is also a noticeable uptick in theft, violence, and customer aggression.
In response, major retail chains such as Kmart, Bunnings, Coles, and Woolworths are taking measures to ensure the safety of their workers and prevent theft. However, a new feature aimed at deterring crime is causing significant frustration. Kmart is the latest retailer to install security gates at its store entrances and exits, a move that has sparked backlash from shoppers, similar to the reactions seen when Coles and Woolworths introduced them in recent years.
Security Measures and Shopper Reactions
While these security gates are intended to enhance safety, they are not without their drawbacks. According to Scott Taylor, a security, risk, and communications expert, these gates are not a panacea for preventing violence or theft. “It’s causing some frustration because sometimes you can get issues with them, and then you’ve got the person who might be aggressive and violent, now trapped behind the gate there with you,” Taylor explained to Yahoo News.
He further noted that while a reduced size in entry and exit points can provide businesses with more visibility, not all major retailers, and not even all Kmart stores, will implement the same security measures. “They need to adjust based on their demographic, their crime reporting, all those sort of things,” Taylor added.
Retailers have come to realize that protecting their assets extends beyond safeguarding property and reputation; it also involves ensuring the safety of their employees. “You’ve got to protect all your assets and it’s not just your property and your reputation, you need to protect your people,” Taylor emphasized.
Kmart’s Response to Security Concerns
In response to the installation of security gates, a Kmart spokesperson acknowledged the challenges posed by “shrinkage” and emphasized that the gates are part of a broader initiative to enhance the shopping experience. “In line with good business practice, we have a number of initiatives in place, including upgraded equipment and gates, to help create a safer and more enjoyable shopping experience for our customers,” the spokesperson stated.
However, the spokesperson did not provide specific details on the expansion of this initiative or the number of stores currently equipped with the security gates across the country.
Legislative Measures in Western Australia
Meanwhile, in Western Australia, the government is taking bold steps to combat retail crime. New legislation, known as the Retail Barring Orders (RBO) Bill 2025, is being proposed to give retailers more authority to protect their staff. This landmark bill would empower employers and shopping center management to ban offenders from stores for up to two years. Violators of these bans could face up to five years in prison.
The bill, which is set to be presented to parliament, aims to allow retailers to intervene early and prevent high-risk individuals from re-entering their premises before incidents escalate. This legal framework would enable employers, shopping center operators, and unions to seek court orders to ban violent or threatening individuals from entering retail spaces.
By the Numbers
- 70% of retailers reported an increase in customer theft over the last financial year.
- 87% of retail workers have experienced verbal abuse.
- Approximately 800,000 retail crime incidents were reported across Australia in the past year.
- The top 10% of offenders are responsible for around 60% of total harm.
- Over 50% of retail workers are women, and more than a third are aged 15–24 years.
As the retail sector grapples with these challenges, the introduction of security gates and legislative measures reflect a broader effort to address the complex issue of retail crime. While these initiatives may not be universally welcomed, they underscore the urgent need to protect both retail employees and consumers during one of the busiest times of the year.
Yahoo News has reached out to Kmart for further comment. Do you have a story tip? Email: [email protected].
