Small businesses in Spain continue to face a demanding security landscape, especially considering they are one of the main engines of the economy. According to data from the Ministry of the Interior, in the first quarter of 2025 there were 26,279 break-ins at homes, establishments and other facilities, underscoring the constant pressure these shops face, many of them family-owned.
This scenario is driven by multiple factors, including increasingly specialized criminal groups or the ease with which stolen goods can be moved, which increases the appeal of this type of crime in commercial settings. Barcelona, Seville, Madrid and Valencia, particularly in their peripheral areas, are among the cities where this phenomenon is most prevalent.
This heightened concern for security is also translating into the hiring of specialized solutions. In this regard, Sector Alarm has recorded exponential growth in the number of professional customers so far this year. For these businesses, security is increasingly about more than just preventing theft and has become part of protecting the activity itself: reducing the impact of an incident, safeguarding employees and customers, and helping the establishment maintain operations in the face of unforeseen situations.
The majority of incidents occur at night
Night remains the main risk moment for these businesses. Lower foot traffic, fewer witnesses, and lighting limitations in certain areas make establishments more exposed during long stretches of the day. Industry estimates indicate that thefts cluster mainly between 1:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., with particular emphasis on the Sunday-to-Monday night, affecting especially bars and restaurants, small retailers, and shops with easily resaleable products.
For Marta Benthem, Portfolio Director at Sector Alarm, “this security pressure remains especially relevant for small businesses and environments with lower protection coverage, such as rural areas or industrial parks. More and more merchants understand security as a strategic decision to protect their activity and anticipate risks. It’s not just about preventing a robbery, but about minimizing the impact any incident can have on the business and helping to ensure operational continuity. We’re seeing growing demand for alarm systems that not only prevent theft but also guarantee a rapid response to any incident.”
“The ability to act immediately is now one of the most valued factors for small businesses. Being able to verify an incident and activate the necessary response protocols in barely 15 seconds helps minimize risks and provides greater peace of mind to both owners and employees,” Benthem notes.
This capability to respond quickly is not only key in cases of theft or break-ins outside business hours, but also in tense or violent situations inside the establishments themselves. Recently, a small business connected to Sector Alarm’s monitoring center activated its portable voice unit, a device that allows rapid and discreet contact with the center in an emergency. After receiving the alert, the Alarm Monitoring Center team managed the signal and, given the situation, activated the protocol, immediately notifying authorities. The individual had begun throwing furniture and confronting other customers. Ultimately, the coordinated response resolved the incident without any injuries or property damage, highlighting the role these solutions can play in protecting employees and customers in unforeseen circumstances.
The Economic and Geographic Impact of Theft on Retail
The latest AECOC Barometer on Theft in Retail places Spain’s annual losses to retail due to theft and fraud at €2.817 billion, roughly 1.1% of the sector’s revenue.
Moreover, the phenomenon shows a meaningful qualitative shift: 51% of thefts are committed by repeat offenders and 35% are linked to organized gangs. Add to this a heightened day-to-day tension for businesses, as 74% of merchants report a perceived rise in aggression or intimidation.
In terms of regional distribution, according to the Ministry of the Interior, Catalonia accounts for 18.4% of thefts, followed by Andalusia (16.3%), Madrid (15.6%), and the Valencian Community (10.7%), regions that, due to higher population density and commercial activity, account for more than 60% of cases.
At an intermediate level are Canarias (4.6%), the Basque Country (4.5%), Galicia (4.3%), the Balearic Islands (3.2%), Murcia (3.1%), and Castilla-La Mancha (3%), with a strong presence in urban and tourist zones.
Conversely, Castile and León (2.9%), Aragon (2.6%), Extremadura (1.8%), and La Rioja (0.7%) have the lowest rates, consolidating as the regions with the least incidence of these crimes.
Given the economic impact that theft and related incidents can have, especially on small businesses, investing in an appropriate security system becomes a strategic expenditure not only to protect the establishment and its assets but also to support business continuity and provide greater peace of mind to owners and employees. In this context, connected solutions to an Alarm Receiving Center enable the rapid detection and management of incidents and the activation of the necessary response protocols when the situation requires it.
