Shoplifting incidents, losses rise dramatically
A new survey indicates that shoplifting is significantly growing as a problem for retailers.
According to "The Impact of Retail Theft and Violence," a survey of 164 mid-size to large retailers from the NRF, Loss Prevention Research Council and Sensormatic Solutions, respondents have experienced a 93% increase in the average number of shoplifting incidents per year in 2023 from 2019.
Respondents also saw a 90% increase in dollar loss due to shoplifting during that same time period and experienced an average of 177 shoplifting incidents per day in 2023.
The survey also indicates 62% of respondents say that two to three individuals working together to steal multiple items is more of a concern than it was a year ago, followed by individuals who shoplift several items at once (58%).
Another 47% have seen an increase in groups of more than three individuals working together to steal multiple items. The survey also reveals 76% of respondents say that organized retail crime (ORC) getting involved in shoplifting is a growing concern.
ORC shoplifting typically involves a criminal enterprise employing a group of individuals who steal large quantities of merchandise from a number of stores and a fencing operation that converts the stolen goods into cash.
Almost three-in-four (73%) of those surveyed say that shoplifters are exhibiting more violence and aggression than they were a year ago and 91% say that shoplifters are exhibiting more violence and aggression compared with 2019.
Between 2022 and 2023, respondents that track these incidents specifically saw a 42% increase in shoplifting incidents that involved threats or acts of violence and a 39% increase in incidents involving the threat, display or use of a weapon.
On average, respondents apprehended 64% more shoplifters in 2023 compared with 2019. And, on average, respondents saw an 83% increase in the number of shoplifting arrests in 2023 compared with 2019.
"Organized retail crime activity begins with the initial act of stealing merchandise or goods from retail stores, the supply chain and online environments," said David Johnston, NRF VP of asset protection and retail operations. "Many of these thefts and crimes involve an organization buying the stolen goods and selling them back into the retail environment or direct to consumers."
The survey also tracked a number of other crime- and violence-related issues affecting retailers:
- Nearly all (94%) respondents believe federal legislation is needed to effectively combat organized retail crime.
- 93% of respondents agreed that the rise of violence-related theft and incidents has made it harder to hire and retain store employees in certain areas or regions of the country. Sixty-nine percent agreed that it even made it harder to hire and retain in areas or regions where violence is less of an issue.
- 84% of respondents say that violence during a crime has become more of a concern in the last year.
- 77% of respondents said that limited law enforcement resources were a challenge in investigations and prosecuting retail theft and fraud, while others cited lack of aggregated theft laws (53%) and felony threshold laws (53%).
- 76% of respondents say the rise in violence-related theft and incidents have forced them to implement measures that negatively impact the customer experience.
- Since 2019, more than 64% of survey respondents have created or added positions or roles within their asset protection or loss prevention teams in response to increases in theft, violence or loss.
- Compared with their last fiscal year, 61% of respondents have increased their budgets in support of technology software and solutions, while 52% have increased capital allocation for LP equipment.
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