Nova Scotia Liquor Corp Reports 24% Surge in Store Thefts

UPDATE: The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) has reported an alarming 24% increase in thefts across its retail stores in the province during the first quarter of 2025. This surge follows a staggering 55% rise in thefts throughout 2024, highlighting a worsening trend in organized retail crime.

The newly released figures reveal that between April 1 and June 29, 2025, there were 350 more thefts compared to the same period in the previous year, a significant escalation that has prompted urgent responses from both retailers and lawmakers. Experts warn that this is part of a broader national crisis, with the Retail Council of Canada estimating that businesses and consumers are losing approximately $9.1 billion annually to what they describe as “coordinated, organized, and increasingly violent criminal activity.”

“We’ve been trying to raise the alarm over the last few years, and it’s really getting to that crisis point,” stated Jim Cormier, director for Atlantic Canada at the Retail Council of Canada. He emphasized the need for community leaders and politicians to recognize the scale of the problem, stating, “It’s organized retail crime that we’re referring to, not just shoplifting.”

In response to the escalating thefts, the NSLC is actively implementing new security measures. A spokesperson confirmed the introduction of advanced anti-theft devices on high-risk products, such as Smirnoff vodka, which include alarm systems that activate if not deactivated at the counter. The NSLC noted early positive results from these initiatives.

While the NSLC has declined interview requests, its commitment to addressing thefts is clear. The corporation also advises employees and customers to refrain from intervening during theft incidents due to heightened risks. Alarmingly, a recent survey indicated that 76.2% of retailers report an increase in violence during theft events, further underscoring the urgency of the situation.

Sandra Mullen, president of the Nova Scotia Government and General Employees Union (NSGEU), expressed support for the NSLC’s measures but highlighted that more resources are necessary to combat theft effectively. “Making sure that folks are not working alone and ensuring they have security—those are all easy, perhaps costly fixes. But so is the theft,” Mullen stated.

As the NSLC continues to explore avenues to mitigate theft, the retail landscape in Nova Scotia is changing rapidly. Businesses and communities are urged to stay vigilant and proactive in addressing this pressing issue. With theft incidents on the rise, the implications for local economies and safety are profound.

Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as authorities and retailers scramble to combat the growing threat of organized retail crime in Nova Scotia and beyond.