94% of retailers have been impacted by shoplifting in the last year, a new survey has found.
While 50% of stores have experienced employee theft, the research discovered.
The survey by Shelflife magazine also found that 89% of retailers say crimes involving their businesses have become more dangerous in the last year.
This has led to a growing concern for both safety and security, the sector has warned.
"Retailers are the backbone of our communities, yet they are facing unprecedented levels of crime that threaten their livelihoods," said Vincent Jennings, CEO of the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Assocation (CSNA).
"We are calling on the government to act immediately. This isn't just about theft; it’s about the safety of our business owners, staff, and customers. It’s time to introduce stronger protections."
The call came as ShelfLife and the CSNA launched a new campaign, "Stop Crime Against Retailers."
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The CSNA said stronger legal protections are needed for retailers, including defamation law amendments.
It also wants the introduction of Antisocial Behaviour Orders and night courts to handle retail crime swiftly and effectively.
The organisations are also seeking direct access to local Garda stations for faster responses and enforced standards for those responses.
It also wants a streamlined process for the quick return of stolen goods to help businesses recover their losses.
"Retailers are facing a crime epidemic, from shoplifting to violent assaults on staff," said John McDonald, managing director of ShelfLife.
"The government must act now to ensure faster justice and stronger protections for businesses that are integral to our communities."
The survey also revealed that 100% of retailers have faced some form of crime in the last 12 months, including shoplifting, violent robbery, break-ins, and extortion.
More than two thirds of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with Garda response times, while 88% reported no visible Garda presence in their area, further emboldening criminals.
76% of retailers said they had experienced financial losses, with 36% reporting losses exceeding €10,000 in the past year.
Chief Superintendent Padraic Jones of the Garda National Community Engagement Bureau said gardai have listened to the sector and worked with it to problem solve the issues and support retailers.
"It was for that reason that we launched Operation Táirge last November," he said.
He added that it was a specific organised response to retail and organised retail crime across Ireland which had received positive buy-in from both gardai and retailers.
Although he also acknowledged that there is "a way to go".
