Retail Theft Epidemic Prompts Action

Retailers across the U.S. have reported a 93% increase in the average number of shoplifting incidents per year in 2023 versus 2019, and a 90% increase in dollar loss due to shoplifting during the same period, according to the Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2024, a report released yearly by the National Retail Federation.

The Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) released its Between the Aisles report, which aggregates data on organized retail crime in the nation’s three largest cities—Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. The report says November and December feature higher sales than the rest of the year. This increased retail activity results in more shoplifting and more shoplifting reports to law enforcement during these months.

As the new year begins, retailers are continuing their fight against elevated levels of theft, violence and organized retail crime. Although the retail industry still contends with high levels of theft and violence, progress has been made across several states and jurisdictions, specifically involving organized retail crime (ORC) activity.

Quantifying organized retail crime in totality has many challenges. Many states realize that the volume of retail theft, cargo theft and online frauds are due to increased demand from ORC groups seeking to resell stolen products.

As of 2025, 28 states have established criminal laws focusing on either those engaged in ORC or enhanced penalties for those who steal repeatedly to resell stolen goods. Several states and jurisdictions have established task forces comprised of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, focusing on the investigation and prosecution of those involved in ORC.

The number of ORC associations has grown in recent years. These associations have opened doors to improve legislation, enhance investigations and build cooperative relationships. See a full list of these associations, and find one in your state, here.

Many of these task forces have grown over the past few years, emphasizing the need for resources, partnerships and laws combatting these crimes.

To curtail the current level of theft, retailers have been forced to implement certain security measures, with some causing disruptions to the shopping experience. Recognizing the disruptions of certain security measures, many retailers continue to partner with industry solution providers to bring innovative solutions that not only protect people and goods but also change the landscape of retail theft and violence.

“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. Neither party can achieve this feat alone,” says Tony D’Onofrio, president of Sensormatic Solutions.