Semana Santa Shoplifting Costs Spanish Retailers €591 Million — The Most Stolen Items Revealed

€591 Million Lost Over Easter

Spanish retailers are facing losses of up to €591 million during Semana Santa due to theft, administrative errors and supplier fraud, according to a new study on retail theft in Spain.

The figure — representing 1.1% of the total annual revenue of distribution companies in Spain — comes from the Barometer of Theft in Retail Distribution, a report promoted by Checkpoint Systems. It identifies the Easter holiday period as one of the toughest times of year for retail businesses, with around 21% of all annual retail theft occurring during Semana Santa alone.

Repeat Offenders Behind More Than Half of Thefts

One of the report's most striking findings concerns the profile of those responsible. The study found that 51% of external thefts are carried out by repeat offenders — people who commit three or more thefts per year. Experts also warn that these offenders are becoming increasingly aggressive, adding to the pressure on shop staff during an already busy trading period.

The average value stolen per incident is €195.58, though 83% of individual thefts involve goods worth no more than €150. While the per-incident value may seem relatively low, the cumulative impact across thousands of shops over the Easter period adds up quickly.

The Most Stolen Items at Easter

The report identifies clear patterns in what gets stolen during Semana Santa, broken down by category:

Food and drink: Oils have seen a particularly sharp rise in theft in recent years and stand out as among the most targeted items. Canned goods, smoked products, sausages, cheeses, wines and spirits are also heavily targeted.

Fashion: Footwear is the most vulnerable item in this category, followed by underwear and lingerie.

Beauty and personal care: Colognes and fragrances are the most commonly stolen items in this sector.

Technology: Headphones are the most frequently stolen tech product, closely followed by smartphones.

DIY and home improvement: Light bulbs top the list in this category during the Easter period.

A Steady Drain on Retailers

For many retailers, shop theft is not a single dramatic incident but a steady, grinding drain on stock and profits that Semana Santa intensifies. The combination of higher footfall, distracted staff, and the logistical challenges of a busy trading period creates conditions that organised and opportunistic thieves alike take advantage of.

The report's findings add a less-discussed dimension to the Semana Santa picture: while the holiday brings a significant boost in consumer spending, it also brings a significant spike in retail losses — with the two rarely discussed together.

This article is based on reporting from Spanish News Today, published March 31, 2026, drawing on the Checkpoint Systems Barometer of Theft in Retail Distribution. This article is for informational purposes only.