A new study has revealed a staggering 93% increase in the average number of retail shoplifting incidents per year in the US in 2023 compared to 2019, with a corresponding 90% rise in financial losses.
The comprehensive analysis, titled The Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2024, was conducted collaboratively by the country’s National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Loss Prevention Research Council, and sponsored by Sensormatic Solutions.
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The study delves into the transformation of theft and violence since the advent of Covid-19 and explores the strategies employed by retailers to address the current challenges of retail crime.
NRF asset protection and retail operations vice-president David Johnston said: “Retailers continue to navigate a rising retail theft landscape that has evolved significantly over time.
“Protecting store associates and customers, coupled with reducing today’s levels of violence and retail crime, requires a whole-community approach and collaboration across all stakeholders.”
Retailers encountered an average of 177 shoplifting incidents daily in 2023, with figures potentially exceeding 1,000 in certain sectors.
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By GlobalDataViolent behaviour among shoplifters is also on an upward trajectory. 73% of survey participants noted an increase in violence and aggression from shoplifters compared to 2022, and 91% observed more violent tendencies when contrasted with 2019.
Retailers are intensifying efforts to safeguard individuals within their premises. More than two-thirds of retailers have augmented their investment in employee training to address workplace violence.
The phenomenon of multi-person thefts is gaining momentum, with 62% of respondents indicating heightened concerns over small groups orchestrating thefts.
Organised retail crime (ORC) remains a persistent issue, with 76% reporting increased worry over ORC-related shoplifting.
Tracking capabilities revealed a 57% uptick in ORC incidents among retailers equipped to monitor such activities from 2022 to 2023.
94% of retailers emphasise the necessity for federal intervention to tackle organised retail crime effectively, and the NRF is lobbying for the passage of the Combating Organised Retail Crime Act to bolster cooperation among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.
The survey’s findings were gathered online from senior loss prevention and security executives across the retail sector between 10 June and 12 July 2024.
It encompasses responses from medium to large retail entities representing 164 brands, which collectively contributed $1.52tn in annual sales for 2023 and accounted for almost one-third of total retail sales.
