Stores in Iceland are losing an estimated ISK 6 billion (USD 46.5 million, EUR 36.6 million) per year because of theft, according to information from the Federation of Trade and Services. The estimated cost includes measures taken by stores to try to prevent theft, mbl.is reports.

Photo by Eygló Svala Arnarsdóttir.

According to Gunnar Ingi Sigurðsson, manager of Hagkaup, one of the largest retailers in Iceland, the store is constantly increasing its anti-theft measures such as CCTV and plain-clothed security staff.

Gunnar says that security cameras have captured people clearing a whole shelf before the store introduced one-way gates at the entrance to the store.

He says thieves have resorted to various tricks, citing one case where a man asked a staff member to help him transport a television to his car. Only later did the employee realize that the man hadn’t paid for it.

In another case, a man gained access to the store’s stock by dressing in the uniform of one of their suppliers.

ZR