Supermarket chain Iceland has introduced a new initiative offering customers a £1 reward on their bonus card if they report shoplifters in the act, aiming to reduce theft and its associated costs.

Despite retailers investing in security measures like facial recognition and AI cameras, the rise in shoplifting crime continues unabated.

The British Retail Consortium has reported an increase in organized gang thefts, with law changes since 2014 reducing penalties for thefts under £200, making stores more vulnerable.

Official police figures show a record high of 530,643 shoplifting offences in England and Wales for the year ending March 2025, marking a 20% increase from the previous year, with the actual number likely underestimated.

Retail industry leaders warn that, despite more crimes being reported, the actual number of shoplifting incidents remains underreported, and there is a lack of confidence in the investigation process, calling for more effective crime prevention.

The move by Iceland is driven by an estimated £20 million annual loss due to shoplifting, which hampers their ability to lower prices and invest in staff, and this initiative is part of their effort to combat that loss.

This announcement coincides with Iceland's decision to increase food prices, citing higher supplier costs driven by increased National Insurance and minimum wage, which the retailer says it will pass on to consumers where possible.

Meanwhile, the UK government is planning legislative measures, including removing the £200 theft threshold and creating a new offence for assaulting retail staff, alongside funding to target organized crime groups.

Richard Walker, Iceland's executive chairman, emphasized that shoplifting is not a victimless crime, highlighting its impact on prices, employee wages, and safety, and the store hopes to deter thieves by incentivizing customers to police their own stores.