#retailcrime

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Majority of Brits admit to shoplifting with 'thrill' as motivation

Majority of Brits have done shoplifting at least once, with many doing it for pure thrill, shows a new survey, exposing the state of British

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Retail security firm claims rise in 'pensioner shoplifters'

There has been a "massive" increase in pensioner shoplifters over the last year amid "terrible violence" from organised gangs , a retail sec

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Independent retailers call for action as shop theft touches record high levels

The Fed (Federation of Independent Retailers) has reiterated calls for government grants to boost security measures for smaller stores, foll

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'Many retailers choosing not to report theft amid stubborn levels of retail crime'

Most independent retailers have experienced theft in past one year while many had to verbal abuse, shows the latest report on retail crime l

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Convenience retailers rejoice as government put police back on beat

Convenience retailers have welcomed the announcement of a new Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee from the government, aiming to ensure that ev

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Keir Starmer vows to tackle rising retail crime

Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer is taking a stand against rising retail crime left unchecked by the Conservative party.

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Toothpaste, Chocolate, And Deodorant Under Lock And Key At US Stores

Everyday products like toothpaste, chocolate, washing powder, and deodorant are increasingly being placed under lock and key in US stores due to a rise in petty theft and organized shoplifting. Retail giants such as Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Home Depot, and Foot Locker have expressed concerns about theft-related issues impacting their businesses."Organized retail crime, and theft in general, is an increasingly serious issue impacting many retailers," said Lauren Hobart, CEO of Dick's Sporting Goods. The impact of theft on their inventory has been significant, affecting their financial results and outlook for the year.Target's CEO, Brian Cornell, noted a 120 percent increase in theft incidents involving violence or threats of violence during the first five months of the year. This situation is characterized by an "unacceptable amount of retail theft and organized retail crime."These challenges come at a time when interest rates have risen, impacting consumers' ability to make purchases and businesses' expansion plans. The National Retail Federation's 2022 retail security survey estimated that retailers lost $94.5 billion nationwide due to "shrink" in 2021, which includes factors like staff theft, shoplifting, and administrative errors.To combat theft, stores have implemented security measures such as transparent walls with locked shelves, padlocked chains on refrigerators, and call buttons in aisles for staff. Some locations have also reduced inventory on unprotected shelves to limit shoplifting.However, these measures are not always effective. In some cases, thieves have resorted to extreme tactics, such as using blowtorches to melt locked display cases, as seen in a Walgreens outlet in Queens, New York.Residents in Queens have expressed concerns about safety in certain CVS outlets, and retailers are sometimes advising staff not to intervene in thefts or contact the police for their safety. Some stores are even considering closure due to the significant impact of theft and violence on their operations.The rise in theft has the potential to increase prices for consumers, and there are reports of "flash rob" incidents where groups rush into stores, seize items, and flee. This challenging situation presents ongoing concerns for retailers and shoppers alike.

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US Retailers Count the Cost of Surging Shopping Crime

The retail industry is facing a serious challenge as thefts and robberies are increasing across the country. According to the National Retail Federation, organized retail crime accounts for an estimated $30 billion in economic loss each year nationwide. This means that on average, organized retail crime costs retailers $700,000 per $1 billion in sales every year.

But it’s not just the financial impact that retailers are worried about. The thefts and robberies are also becoming more frequent, more violent and more brazen. Some criminals are targeting high-value stores such as Louis Vuitton, Nordstrom and Best Buy, using sledgehammers, electric bicycles and large groups of accomplices to break in and loot merchandise. These incidents are often caught on surveillance cameras, creating a sense of fear and insecurity among customers and employees.

Retailers are trying to combat the problem by investing in more security measures, such as cameras, alarms, tags, guards and artificial intelligence systems. However, these efforts have not been enough to deter or catch the criminals, who often resell the stolen goods on online platforms or in the black market. Some retailers have also reported that they are facing legal challenges or public backlash when they try to prosecute or detain shoplifters.

The rise of retail crime has been attributed to various factors, such as the economic and social disruptions caused by the pandemic, the availability of online marketplaces for reselling stolen goods, the lack of enforcement or prosecution of theft laws, and the influence of social media and peer pressure on young offenders.

The retail industry is calling for more collaboration and support from law enforcement, policymakers and communities to address the issue. Some of the solutions that have been proposed include increasing penalties for organized retail crime, creating task forces or databases to track and share information on offenders, enhancing cooperation between retailers and online platforms to identify and remove stolen goods, and educating consumers and employees about the consequences and prevention of retail crime.

Retail crime is not only a threat to the profitability and viability of retailers, but also to the safety and well-being of customers and employees. It is a complex and multifaceted problem that requires a comprehensive and coordinated response from all stakeholders. By working together, we can protect our stores, our communities and our economy from this growing menace.