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Victorian retailers say they are struggling to contain an escalation in store crimes as the cost-of-living crisis deepens.
IGA bottle shop manager Sandra Sutera told 9News she feared theft was getting worse.
From alcohol to groceries, she said supermarket workers have just about seen it all.
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"I have been in this field of work for a long time, it's getting worse, more thefts, more violence," Sutera said.
"They try and catch you off guard and they put things in their pockets, down their pants.
"It's not safe."
Sutera believed soaring prices of products due to inflation was having an influence.
"You get good people that are doing silly things," she said.
"Some people are too proud to ask for money and then they steal and it's really sad."
Colleague Hossain Akbar said he was noticing a rise in the theft of common grocery items.
"People are complaining about the prices going up, they can't afford them. But that's not an excuse to steal.," he said.
"Especially with garlic and ginger because it's expensive. They are always putting them in their pockets and their jumpers."
Australian Retailers Association chief industry affairs officer Fleur Brown said preventing theft was on top of the agenda for retailers.
She said theft also had a profound impact on staff members.
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"We have seen a steady increase," she said.
"We are very conscious of the impact on their staff, mental health impacts, stress, there's apprehension about attacks and you know, this kind of increase in theft.
"It's also having a significant impact on their bottom line."
Brown said it was recommended for business owners to install CCTV and security cameras for extra protection.
"Technology will play a really strong part in the future of retail crime," she said.
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