In these reported robbery cases, 35% of targets were spaza shops or tuck shops, followed by supermarkets (13%) and general dealers at 11.4%.
"Retailers of this size tend to keep more stock, goods and have high cash flow over the festive season, which makes them easy targets for criminals," says Lourens Joubert, head: commercial insurance at Santam. "Spaza shops, supermarkets and shebeens are also easier targets because they operate in areas with insufficient infrastructure, poor policing and have a lack of security measures in place to protect their businesses."
The insurer says businesses can take a few precautionary measures during the festive season to decrease the chances of falling victim to robberies:
The Santam Multi-SOS centre will be available 24/7 throughout the December month and also on all public holidays.