Associated British Foods PLC (LSE:ABF) owner Primark has said shoplifting is now costing it more than its £70 million a year business rates bill.
George Weston, chief executive said: “The level of shoplifting that we are seeing in our society today continues at unacceptable levels.
“We do need action from the state to put this right.”
Weston said that Primark has introduced a range of measures to counter thieves, including more CCTV and body cameras for staff to protect themselves.
Carrier bags with a sticker saying sold are also being introduced to stop the practice of people entering with a Primark bag, filling it up and walking out.
Retail bodies say shoplifting has now reached the point where it is a sophisticated and organised crime with items stolen to order, fuelled by the police not tackling thefts under £200.
The Labour government has promised to scrap the £200 guideline as part of efforts to crack down on shoplifting.
The Centre for Retail Research estimates that shoplifting adds around £130 to the cost of an annual shopping bill.