Desperate Australians are resorting to theft as a means of survival, as reported by one supermarket chain. According to John-Paul Drake, director of Drakes Supermarkets, individuals are leaving the store on a daily basis with a cart full of stolen groceries. He expressed frustration and exhaustion at the audacity of people taking whatever they please. Drake witnessed instances where family members were coaching children as young as 10 years old on how to steal from supermarkets. While he sympathized with those facing financial difficulties, he emphasized that turning to crime is not the solution for struggling individuals. Drake acknowledged that his business is not a charity but highlighted their substantial donations to charitable organizations to assist those in need.
Coles, another supermarket chain, acknowledged an increase in theft, stating that it is a widespread issue affecting retailers across Australia and internationally. The company collaborates with the police regularly to combat shoplifting and employs a significant team of undercover loss prevention officers who apprehend numerous thieves each week. On the other hand, Woolworths declined to comment specifically on the industry-wide problem of theft but emphasized that they utilize various covert and overt measures to minimize retail crime and ensure the safety of their staff and customers.
OzHarvest, a food charity, reported a significant rise in demand for food assistance. Their Community Needs Survey revealed that 73 percent of the charities they work with witnessed an increase in individuals seeking food relief, with a third of them being first-time seekers. The spokesperson noted that most of the charities they support could handle twice the amount of food to meet the growing need. The hardest-hit groups are single parents and families, as well as low-income individuals who struggle to cover expenses such as rent, mortgage, and bills, leaving them in need of food relief.
The article also mentioned the escalating prices of groceries, with a May report by investment bank UBS indicating a 9.6 percent increase in prices at Coles and Woolworths. Fresh food saw a particularly significant surge of 9.9 percent. However, UBS predicted a decline in prices as supply levels improved in the upcoming months. Additionally, Australians face financial strain due to repeated interest rate hikes by the Reserve Bank, which has raised rates in 12 out of its last 14 meetings. The cash rate has risen from 0.1 percent in May of the previous year to 4.1 percent in June, aiming to address inflation concerns that peaked at 7.8 percent in December. Fortunately, the RBA decided to pause interest rates during their recent monthly meeting, providing relief to borrowers across the country.
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