Retail thefts across NSW have increased by five per cent in the past two years, with alcohol the most commonly stolen item.
Data from the state's Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research showed retail thefts had spiked 30 per cent in a decade, with incidents involving stolen alcohol increasing by more than 140 per cent.
The data backed up what the industry was seeing, Retail Drinks Australia chief executive Michael Waters said.
"Retail liquor stores are facing an increasing wave of crime, aggression, and safety concerns, ranging from product theft to, at its most serious, the verbal and physical abuse of owners and staff," he told AAP.
"We know retail liquor stores are disproportionately targeted by criminals due to the relatively high value of products, their ease of portability, and ease of consumption or resale."
Mr Waters said a survey of store owners and staff found about 50 per cent experienced security incidents weekly, or more frequently.
"It's certainly making it harder to hire and retain good people who shouldn't have to face such confronting situations when going to work every day," he said.
The Endeavour Group, which owns BWS and Dan Murphy's, said it had invested in a number of security measures to protect staff and customers and deter theft.
These include auto-locking doors and lockable cabinets for higher-end products, a trial of AI-enabled body-worn cameras and an increased investment in physical security.
Retail thefts involving alcohol in NSW jumped from 2910 in 2015/16 to 7003 in 2024/25 - a 141 per cent spike in a decade.
It represents an increase from eight incidents a day to 19.
"Thieves tend to target high-value spirits such as whiskey and bourbon," BOCSAR executive director Jackie Fitzgerald said.
"The average value of liquor stolen is $102, reflecting a clear preference for premium products."
After liquor, clothing and footwear were the items featuring the most in retail thefts, with food the third.
Police charged people in 40 per cent of retail theft incidents.
The majority were adults, with one in seven aged between 10 and 17.
In a high-profile incident in April, 71-year-old grocer Linford Feick was killed outside his store in Darwin after he confronted an alleged shoplifter.
An 18-year-old has been charged with his murder.
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