Theft and threats of violence plague the retail industry, and the disruption has worsened according to a new study released by the National Retail Federation and the Loss Prevention Research Council.
Retailers reported an 18% increase in the average number of shoplifting incidents per year in 2024 versus 2023, and threats or acts of violence during shoplifting or theft events increased 17%, the NRF Impact of Theft & Violence 2025 study indicated.
The report demonstrates guest-related violence and violence during a crime were the kinds of conflicts retailers say are increasing more, cited as up by 46% in each case, followed by homeless people involved in a business dispute at 43% and homeless people involved in theft and violence at 39%.
The report also documents a troubling shift in organized retail crime (ORC) operations beyond physical store theft into new realms, exploiting vulnerabilities across the entire retail ecosystem, NRF noted. Retailers surveyed in the study reported increases the past 12 months in ORC-related phone scams (70%), digital and e-commerce frau (55%) and cargo or supply chain thefts (50%) over the past 12 months. Back in stores, 52% of retailers reported increases in shoplifting and merchandise theft.
The scope of ORC operations is global, with 66% of retailers reporting the involvement of a transnational criminal group in thefts against their company during the past year. Limited law enforcement and retail asset protection resources, as well as a lack of prosecutor willingness to pursue ORC cases, are the top reasons more hasn’t been accomplished in curtailing organized retail crime, the NRF report indicated.
As they deal with lack of law enforcement response, 64% of retailers say they reported less than half of their store-related theft incidents to authorities.
As significant number of retailers have increased their investment in multi-layered security strategies in response to the criminal challenge. Exterior security, interior security and merchandise protection are the top measures retailers have taken, by, for example, adding cameras, lighting, license plate readers, locking cases and changing store layouts.
NRF continues encouraging the United States Congress to pass the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, which would enhance coordination between federal, state and local law enforcement and provide the tools necessary to tackle transnational ORC.
“Retailers are contending with rising levels of theft, fraud and violence while continuing to refine security measures, utilize technologies and partner with law enforcement in efforts to curtail loss across the retail landscape,” said David Johnson, NRF vice president for asset protection and retail operations. “While some progress is apparent, organized theft groups have expanded their scope, taking advantage of retailers’ strained resources and lagging prosecutorial support nationwide.”
Tony D’Onofrio, president of Sensormatic Solutions, which sponsored the study, said, “This year’s report is a reminder of the complexities we must navigate when it comes to the growing and evolving issue of retail theft and violence. Our retail partners are making substantial investments in loss prevention, and technology is the crucial link in enabling asset protection teams to thwart these pervasive crimes.”
