Gunnebo Safe Storage has unveiled its latest downloadable white paper: “Are Luxury Retailers Equipped to Handle the Escalating Threat of Sophisticated Retail Crime?”

This in-depth report explores the security challenges luxury retailers face amid a sharp rise in theft and organised retail crime, offering innovative strategies to protect high-value merchandise without compromising the exclusive customer experience.

Luxury retailers are under increasing threat as theft incidents continue to rise globally.

The white paper reveals a 35% year-on-year increase in crimes targeting high-end stores, with designer goods such as handbags, jewellery and watches becoming prime targets for both opportunistic thieves and organised crime syndicates.

“A major concern for luxury brands”

Emmanuel Harir-Forouch, Global Business Development Director, Gunnebo Safe Storage commented: “The rising threat of retail crime is a major concern for luxury brands worldwide.

“These risks are exacerbated by the very qualities that make luxury stores distinctive: open layouts, high-value inventories and an emphasis on immersive shopping experiences that often limit the implementation of visible security measures.

“To address this, our new white paper provides actionable insights and strategies to help luxury retailers safeguard their assets while maintaining the elegance and exclusivity their customers expect,” concluded Harir-Forouch.

Key points from the paper

The paper highlights the mounting complexity of evolving threats, including the prevalence of smash-and-grab robberies and insider theft involving employees acting on behalf of organised groups.

As organised retail crime becomes more violent and unpredictable, luxury retailers face difficult decisions about balancing security with maintaining the serene and elegant shopping atmosphere that their clientele expects.

The white paper underscores the importance of advanced secure storage technologies, such as certified strong rooms, lightweight modular panels and bespoke vault doors.

These solutions provide robust protection against burglary and organised crime while preserving the premium aesthetic that high-end brands pride themselves on.

“Trust and confidence”

Harir-Forouch from Gunnebo Safe Storage later said: “Security is critical for luxury retailers, not only to protect their merchandise and their employees but also to preserve the trust and confidence of their discerning clientele.

“By listening to the unique challenges they face, we’ve developed tailored solutions that integrate advanced security technologies with the elegance and exclusivity their customers expect.

“This white paper provides a roadmap to achieving this balance, empowering luxury brands to stay ahead of escalating retail crime while maintaining their reputation for excellence,” he added.