Woolworths asks for govt help as assaults in stores spike

Woolworths Takapuna closed due to a robbery on January 12 this year. (Image: Hayden Woodward)

Wed, 10 Jul 2024

Woolworths has become the latest major retailer to divulge the rates of retail crime at its New Zealand stores and called for help from the government.On Wednesday, the Australian-owned supermarket franchise said physical assaults climbed 50% to 329 incidents in the 12 months to June 30.This figure was a component of the number of “acts of violence and aggression”, which rose 9% to 925.The company said many of the perpetrators are “repeat offenders” and that, “pleasingly,” the use of weapons has been reduced....

Subscribe to BusinessDesk

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call.
Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Already a Subscriber ? Sign in here.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].name) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market Close

NZ sharemarket starts week down 0.8%

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed at 13,351.92, down 115.34 points or 0.86%.

Graham Skellern 13 Oct 2025

Property

Du Val pair ordered to pay costs

The Clarkes are to pay the markets regulator following the asset seizure hearing.

Maria Slade 13 Oct 2025

Property

Auckland developer collapse leaves $40m in debt

Between all firms, debts with the IRD are about $25 million.

Gregor Thompson 13 Oct 2025

Auckland developer collapse leaves $40m in debt

Sponsored

Diversification has never been more important, says award-winning fund manager

Harbour Asset Management

Sponsored

The risks of powering New Zealand’s data boom

Sydney has curbed data centres to save power and water. Can New Zealand plan more wisely?

Dentons

More Retail

Finance

ANZ alternate capital review proposal unveiled

The bank argues its proposal would cut borrowing costs by 11 basis points.

Andy Macdonald 13 Oct 2025

Retail

Smiths City owes creditors $26.8m

The outlook for unsecured creditors of the former retail icon Smiths City appears bleak, as liabilities have mounted to more than $26.8 million.Liquidators for the century-old retailer stated in their initial report that 240 creditors were owed money by the company, as reported b...

Staff reporters 09 Oct 2025