Researchers in Victoria — a state grappling with rising crime and retail violenmce in stores, have found that many consumers now believe it’s acceptable to steal from stores.

The new Consumer Deviance Spotlight report, released today by Monash Business School’s Australian Consumer and Retail Studies (ACRS) unit, has uncovered what it calls a “relaxed attitude” towards retail theft and other deviant behaviour.

The findings come as major retailers such as Bunnings, The Good Guys, and Officeworks face criticism from regulators for using in-store camera systems and facial recognition technology to identify repeat offenders.

According to the Monash study, more than one in four Australians believe retail theft is justifiable.

27% said it was acceptable to take an item without paying.

30% th

See Full Page