
Nearly 86% of Austrian retailers have encountered crime in their stores, with shoplifting alone costing over €500 million annually, according to a new security study.
The report also highlights the growing threat of cybercrime, with online retailers particularly vulnerable.
“In online retail, 64% of domestic webshops have been affected by cybercrime and order fraud. Therefore, investments in security are never too expensive,” said Rainer Will, Managing Director of the Retail Association. Around 42% of retailers have experienced multiple incidents.
Common Crimes in Retail
Shoplifting tops the list of offences, with 91% of retailers reporting incidents. Counterfeit money is also a widespread problem, affecting 45% of businesses, while 42% have experienced burglaries. To counter these threats, retailers are increasingly adopting security measures such as locking business premises (53%), staff training (47%) and video surveillance (41%).
Rising Cybercrime Threats
The most common forms of cyberattacks include phishing (63%), malware (56%), botnets (23%), cyber extortion (21%) and ransomware (19%). Compared to previous years, the number of cybercrime victims has risen across almost every category, with the exception of cyber extortion and ransomware.
“According to the security study, nearly two-thirds of Austrian online retailers have already been victims of cybercrime and online fraud,” confirmed Bernhard Schafrath, Head of the Office for Crime Prevention and Victim Support at the Federal Criminal Police Office.
Emerging Fraud Tactics
New fraud tactics are also on the rise, including deepfake fraud – AI-generated fake videos – which affects 14% of retailers, and cryptojacking, which targets 7%. The study also highlights increasing instances of buyers deliberately placing orders they have no intention of paying for (63%). Other common fraudulent activities include the use of falsified names or addresses (57%) and denying receipt of goods despite their proper delivery (54%).
More than a quarter of consumers have fallen victim to fraudulent online shops, particularly in the fashion, electronics and travel sectors. Additionally, 17% of retailers reported that their webshops have been copied, further eroding trust in online shopping.