Here we go again…
The final stretch of the year. Mariah Carey warms up her vocal cords. Trolleys start crashing into each other at busy shopping centres. And while businesses prepare for their biggest trading months, criminals are also sharpening their tools—and unfortunately, they don’t take December leave.
Research and claims trends have shown that year-end crime can jump by double digits in South Africa. It’s the season of more stock, more cash on hand, and more deliveries on the road—the perfect cocktail for increased risk. And if you happen to be a retailer, distributor, courier, fuel station, restaurant, or SME with high-value goods… you’re especially on the festive menu.
The spike isn’t only in theft. Armed robberies, hijackings, cable theft, warehouse break-ins and even garden-variety shoplifting tend to rise as the holiday cheer spreads. SME owners often underestimate how one incident can wipe out weeks of trading profit—or worse, force them to close doors while they recover. That’s the real Grinch.
The good news? A strong broker combined with the right risk-mitigation plan can make the festive season a boom, not a bust.
A few practical reminders as the tinsel goes up:
- Review stock declarations
Don’t get caught underinsured. If you’re holding more stock than usual, that needs to be updated — before something goes missing.
- Goods-in-Transit Cover
More deliveries = higher exposure on the road. Hijacking and armed robbery remain high-frequency losses. Ensure all vehicles and routes are properly covered.
- Check your alarms and CCTV
If the batteries are older than your interns, now’s a good time to replace them.
- Cash handling discipline
Frequent banking, fewer late-night runs, and proper staff training go a long way.
- SASRIA
Civil unrest remains unpredictable. If 2021 taught us anything, it’s that peace can be fragile. Don’t assume — confirm.
The festive season should never feel like you’re walking around holding a sign saying, “Take me, I’m yours!” Businesses deserve to trade confidently—not anxiously.
This is where a broker who genuinely understands your business becomes an asset, not a cost. And at Howdie, our job is to support those brokers with fast turnaround, product expertise, and fair claims outcomes—saving Christmas one client at a time.
So before the Boney M music gets louder and the shelves get fuller, let’s help our clients protect what they’ve worked so hard to build. With a little planning now, we’ll all be singing All I Want for Christmas Is… Peace of Mind.
