Retailers support federal bill to thwart organized retail crime
Retailers are urging passage of new bipartisan legislation that would establish a coordinated federal response to the growing problem of organized retail crime.
The “Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 (CORCA)" legislation calls for the establishment of a Center to Combat Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime. The center will combine expertise from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies as well as retail industry representatives.
The legislation was introduced as retail theft has become pervasive, with organized rings targeting retailers in-stores, deceiving consumers through gift-card scams and attacking the supply chains through cargo theft operation
“Organized criminal enterprises are endangering communities across the country through brazen and violent criminal acts that put retail employees and customers in harm’s way,” said Michael Hanson, senior executive VP, public affairs, Retail Industry Leaders Association. “Whether stealing mass quantities of products from retail stores or hijacking consumer goods throughout the supply chain, these gangs are wreaking havoc.”
The criminal rings use the profits from retail theft to support larger illicit activities such as human trafficking, gun smuggling, narcotics, and terrorism, Hanson added.
David French, VP of government relations, National Retail Federation, sounded a similar note.
“ORC is occurring across the retail enterprise — supply chains, bricks-and-mortar stores, warehouses and online — with stolen product sold for a profit, oftentimes to fund other crimes,” he said.
The legislation will ensure that resources and information-sharing will be available across local, state, federal and private-sector partners to bring cases and prosecutions against organized theft groups, noted French.
“This legislation is an important step to help prevent ORC from infiltrating local communities across the country,” he added. “We urge Congress to move quickly to approve this integral measure.”
The legislation is sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Susie Lee (D-NV), David Valadao (R-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Michael Baumgartner (R-WA), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Laurel Lee (R-FL), and Lou Correa (D-CA).
“Retail leaders are encouraged there is bipartisan, bicameral momentum to holistically dismantle sophisticated criminal rings that are targeting retailers and communities across the country,” said Sarah Gilmore, RILA senior director, government affairs. “RILA is eager to garner additional support and get this critical piece of legislation signed into law.”
According to NRF’s “The Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2024” report, 73% of those surveyed say that shoplifters are exhibiting more violence and aggression than they were a year ago. Also, nearly all (94%) retailers view federal legislation as a necessity to effectively combat this issue.
