Quebec retailers call on political parties to address shoplifting crisis as theft losses surge

Quebec's retail leaders are demanding that political parties take shoplifting seriously, particularly organized theft from grocery stores, as the election campaign looms.

At a joint press conference Wednesday in Montreal, industry representatives from six agri-food sector associations called out politicians for failing to condemn organized thefts, including those by the anti-capitalist group "Les Robins des ruelles," which has claimed responsibility for Robin Hood-inspired grocery robberies in Montreal and Quebec City.

"Losses from theft exceed grocers' profits," said Pierre-Alexandre Blouin, president of the Quebec food retailers association (ADAQ), without naming the group directly.

Canadian retailers lost $9 billion to shoplifting in 2024, more than double the $5 billion in losses reported in 2018, according to the CCDR. Michel Rochette, president of the Retail Council of Canada Québec (RCC), says theft is now one of the industry's top concerns.

The retailers' push comes alongside calls from the agricultural sector and food processing industry to address what they call excessive regulation contributing to food inflation. Martin Caron, president of the union of agricultural producers (UPA), cited regulation as a key factor driving up food costs.

The groups presented their concerns as part of a broader bid to get political parties to recognize the importance of the agri-food sector during the campaign.