Less than half of Canadians believe that retail stores are implementing the right amount of security measures to prevent shoplifting, but the majority say they would feel safer shopping in person comfortably without feeling observed, according to a new poll conducted by Leger.

The survey on retail security indicated that the vast majority of people support retailers in implementing measures to prevent theft such as installing security cameras or electronic anti-theft alarms, hiring security guards, or locking certain products in display cases.

However, respondents were divided on whether they would support measures such as store employees checking receipts when customers exit or eliminating self-checkout machines, as support dropped to 17 percent for requiring customers to scan their IDs to make a purchase.

The online survey was completed by more than 1,500 Canadians aged 18 and older from August 4 to 6, and the results were weighted according to age, gender, mother tongue, region, education, and presence of children in the household.

When it comes to retailers applying security measures to prevent shoplifting, 45 percent of survey participants said that businesses have the full right to do so.

About 27 percent said they do not implement sufficient measures, while 10 percent said that stores are doing too much to prevent shoplifting.

In response to a question about the level of shoplifting in their area compared to the rest of Canada, only 14 percent of poll participants said their province experiences more theft than other parts of the country, particularly in British Columbia, where a quarter of respondents felt their province saw more shoplifting than others.

However, two-thirds of Canadians feel safe while shopping in a retail store, according to the survey, compared to 18 percent who said they do not. When broken down by gender, 70 percent of male respondents said they feel safe, compared to 63 percent of female respondents.

Shoplifting and break-ins remain significant issues for Canadian businesses, according to a separate survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business in May.

The organization found that shoplifting was the most common issue, followed by vandalism or burglary and break and enter.

Moreover, three in four small business owners expressed concern for their personal safety or the safety of their employees and customers. About 65 percent said they have recently spent more on security, including cameras or guards, to address safety issues.