Retail Crime Crisis Hits Circle K Hard
THUNDER BAY – Executives from Circle K are urging urgent intervention as crime continues to impact the company’s 13 Thunder Bay stores. Presenting to the Thunder Bay Police Services Board on April 15, Circle K’s Loss Prevention team revealed that the stores have sustained over $300,000 in losses from 2021 to early 2025 due to a sharp rise in theft, vandalism, and robberies.
Amandeep Puar, Circle K’s Loss Prevention Coordinator for Central Canada, detailed how the company is grappling with the operational and financial consequences of ongoing criminal activity. “The intent of this presentation is to explore how Circle K and Thunder Bay Police can work together on solutions that improve safety and security for both our staff and customers,” said Puar.
Thunder Bay Locations Facing Shrinkage, Closures, and Staff Turnover
Circle K’s internal analysis shows an alarming trend. Business Unit #1721, located on Arthur Street East, has been the hardest hit—reporting over 1,270 incidents and more than $82,000 in losses over four years. That store alone has seen over 700 thefts in 2024, with an additional 235 thefts reported in the first quarter of 2025.
The crime wave has forced some Thunder Bay Circle K stores to reduce operating hours or even permanently close. Meanwhile, staff morale is suffering, with increased turnover among employees citing personal safety concerns. Customer confidence has also taken a hit, as some residents choose to avoid high-crime locations altogether.
Company Seeks Strategic Partnership with Police Services Board
The company is not standing still. Circle K has invested heavily in crime deterrence strategies, including hiring third-party security personnel at high-risk locations and installing advanced surveillance systems. The annual cost of security for Thunder Bay locations now exceeds $150,000, with total investments since 2021 approaching $604,000.
Circle K is proposing a formal collaboration with the Thunder Bay Police Service. The goal: to create a sustainable crime prevention framework that includes rapid response protocols, shared data, and coordinated community outreach.
“This is a community-wide issue,” Puar emphasized. “We believe that a strategic partnership with police services can help curb these trends and restore a sense of safety around our stores.”
Over $300K in Losses Tallied from 2021 to 2025
A breakdown of financial impacts across Thunder Bay locations revealed staggering figures. Unit #94 on James Street South recorded over $38,000 in losses. Unit #69 on Oliver Road followed closely with nearly $31,000. Shrinkage across all stores is not only affecting Circle K’s bottom line—it’s also limiting the company’s ability to reinvest in Thunder Bay and maintain a strong retail footprint.
Looking ahead, the company plans to roll out new “pass-through” service windows at five of the most affected stores to minimize staff-customer contact during late hours. The cost of these upgrades totals $87,433.
With rising costs, security concerns, and community impact growing by the year, Circle K’s call for coordinated action with law enforcement may be a pivotal step in curbing retail crime in Thunder Bay.
