Zudio Stores Hit By Rising Theft: What Items Are Stolen Most And How Shoplifters Get Away
Zudio Stores Hit By Rising Theft: What Items Are Stolen Most And How Shoplifters Get Away
Indian fashion retailers are reporting a sharp rise in shrinkage, with Zudio emerging as one of the most targeted chains for theft of apparel, accessories and cosmetics.
India’s fashion retail sector is facing an alarming wave of shrinkage, a term that covers customer shoplifting, employee theft, vendor fraud and supply-chain losses. Within this landscape, Tata-owned Zudio has become one of the most affected fashion chains, recording repeated thefts of small, high-value merchandise across multiple stores.
Data from Zudio outlets over the last six months shows that more than 100 theft incidents were recorded across different branches. Stolen items were typically compact products such as ₹150–₹200 lipsticks, ₹5–₹6 makeup palettes and ₹10–₹20 pairs of earrings. In some cases, individuals allegedly walked away with cosmetic bundles worth nearly ₹10,000 in a single attempt.
The surge reflects a larger trend across Indian retail. According to industry reports, shrinkage has risen sharply in apparel, footwear and fashion categories — the same segments Zudio operates in. Executives attribute this increase to higher store footfall and booming sales volumes that also drive up unchecked movement of goods. Trent Limited, which runs Zudio and Westside, reported that shrinkage nearly doubled from 0.22 per cent in FY23 to 0.41 per cent in FY24, tracking three consecutive years of volume growth.
Other retailers are witnessing similar losses. V-Mart’s shrinkage rose to 0.5 per cent in FY24, while the All India Mobile Retailers Association notes that monthly losses at electronics chains have jumped from ₹50,000 a few years ago to up to ₹10 lakh today. Retailers say compact packaging and high resale value make gadgets, cosmetics and accessories especially vulnerable.
At Zudio outlets, shoplifting methods range from removing price tags to hiding products inside bags, strollers or layers of clothing. In several cases, thieves reportedly used social media platforms and resale groups on WhatsApp and Instagram to sell stolen merchandise at steep discounts. Most thefts occurred during rush hours, when staff attention is at its lowest.
Despite being a value-fashion brand, Zudio stores stock large quantities of small cosmetics and accessories that are easy to conceal. Retail security officials say this combination creates ideal conditions for frequent, low-ticket thefts that collectively cause high losses. While individual stolen items may seem inexpensive, the cumulative impact across branches has prompted calls for better surveillance and higher staffing.
Industry watchers note that as Indian retail continues to expand, companies will need stronger audit systems, daily stock checks and clearer loss-prevention protocols. With the rise in shrinkage affecting profitability across the sector, the pressure on brands like Zudio is growing to tighten in-store security while maintaining the customer-friendly atmosphere that drives footfall.
