Amid rash of shoplifting incidents in Boston, business owners worry while officials say progress is being made

Pan Gu opened a new consignment store on Newbury Street, Chic Circle, three weeks ago.

Among her many concerns about starting a business, from rent to competition to the economy, shoplifting was high on her list, especially as reported retail thefts have increased this year, according to Boston police statistics.

“I’m super worried about this,” Gu said in a recent interview inside her small boutique, adding that other business owners told her she should hire security to deter thieves.

But hiring security personnel and putting antitheft tags on merchandise would strain her already thin profit margins on a street with some of the highest rents in the country, she said.

“[It’s] a burden on small businesses,” she said. “Everything is very tight here, and the rent is very high.”