Foodstuffs is raising the alarm about an increase in retail crime throughout their stores.

New data shows over 5000 incidents were reported in the first quarter of this year at 320 New World, Pak n' Save and Four Square stores.

Foodstuffs North Island general counsel Julian Benefield says a number of these incidents were caused by repeat offenders.

"As we've seen with the data that we're reporting, there's clearly a huge increase - and a large increase in the violent, aggressive offences, which is really concerning for us. It makes us really concerned about our team members."

LISTEN ABOVE