Retailers have experienced a dramatic rise in shoplifting incidents and losses since 2019, according to the Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2024 report from the National Retail Federation (NRF).
The study, conducted with the Loss Prevention Research Council and sponsored by Sensormatic Solutions, revealed a 93% increase in annual shoplifting incidents and a 90% surge in monetary losses over the past four years.
Retailers reported an average of 177 shoplifting incidents daily in 2023, with some sectors experiencing over 1,000 incidents per day.
David Johnston, NRF’s Vice President for Asset Protection and Retail Operations, remarked, “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.”
Rising violence and organised retail crime
The report highlights growing concerns about violence in retail environments.
Seventy-three per cent of surveyed retailers observed increased aggression among shoplifters in 2023 compared to the previous year, and 91% reported a rise in violent behaviour compared to 2019.
Organised retail crime (ORC) has also become a pressing issue, with 76% of respondents citing it as a greater concern than a year ago.
Dr. Read Hayes, Executive Director of the Loss Prevention Research Council, commented, “Retail crime is a complex and sophisticated challenge, with trends that continue to metamorphose. The retail industry is working in lockstep with the research community and solutions providers to develop, test and improve the next generation of asset protection tools and strategies in the ongoing battle against ORC.”
Retailers able to track ORC incidents reported a 57% rise in such crimes from 2022 to 2023. Multi-person thefts have also increased, with 62% of retailers expressing heightened concern about coordinated theft by small groups.
Legislative and technological efforts
Federal legislation is seen as critical in addressing organised retail crime, with 94% of respondents supporting its necessity.
The NRF continues to advocate for the passage of the Combating Organised Retail Crime Act, which aims to enhance coordination among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
Retailers are also investing in preventative measures. Seventy-one per cent reported increasing budgets for employee training on workplace violence in the last fiscal year.
Tony D’Onofrio, President of Sensormatic Solutions, noted the importance of collaboration in tackling the issue: “Retailers and solution providers must work together to build and drive technology that goes beyond thwarting theft in the moment to predicting it, so we can proactively lower the chance of violence by mitigating crime.”
As the retail sector grapples with the evolving threat of theft and violence, the report underscores the need for comprehensive strategies that incorporate technology, collaboration, and legislation to safeguard businesses and their communities.
