Tag: Shoplifting

Vancouver’s Innovative Retail Crime Fighting Solution – Project Barcode

Check out this podcast.

Vancouver’s Innovative Retail Crime Fighting Solution, Project Barcode, with Sgt. Craig Reynolds & Arezo Zarrabian, Vancouver Police Department (Encore) – Retail Council of Canada
— Read on www.retailcouncil.org/podcast/vancouvers-innovative-retail-crime-fighting-solution-project-barcode-with-sgt-craig-reynolds-arezo-zarrabian-vancouver-police-department-encore/

Op-Ed | Los Angeles DA’s Walmart Visit Sparks Debate on Retail Theft Narrative Concerns – Davis Vanguard

Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman’s recent photo-op at a Walmart highlights the need for a nuanced approach to addressing crime in LA County, rather than a simplistic “law-and-order” approach that prioritizes corporate interests over public safety.
— Read on davisvanguard.org/2025/04/los-angeles-da-attorney-retail-theft/

NRF | The Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2024

Retailers 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 over the same time period. Conducted in partnership with the Loss Prevention Research Council and sponsored by Sensormatic Solutions, “The Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2024” examines how theft and violence have evolved since before COVID and how retailers are combating today’s retail crime landscape.

The survey was conducted online among senior loss prevention and security executives in the retail industry June 10 through July 12. The study contains results from mid-size to large retailers across 164 retail brands, which accounted for $1.52 trillion in annual sales in 2023 or 30% of total retail sales. The brands represent a variety of retail sectors including specialty and luxury retail, home improvement, mass merchandise, grocery and pharmacy.
— Read on nrf.com/research/the-impact-of-retail-theft-violence-2024

Deciphering Retail Theft Data Implications and Actions for Policymakers

Executive Summary
Retail theft is a complex issue with conflicting narratives. Some people believe that the problem is exaggerated by authorities and retailers who are struggling to keep up with a changing marketplace. Others point to personal experiences of theft and stores being repeatedly targeted by chronic offenders and organized crews. Unfortunately, traditional crime data sources don’t give us a clear picture of the situation.

This report explores the limitations of existing data and suggests ways for policymakers to get a better understanding of the problem. It uses New York City as a case study and shows how its challenges are similar to those in other cities. This paper also draws upon examples from other major cities that provide retail-theft data to highlight the commonalities and variations in how retail theft operates throughout the country and discusses some general strategies that could be used to address retail theft in cities across the country.

Read more HERE

Get a PDF copy HERE

What’s the truth behind the ‘shoplifting epidemic’? Six key questions answered

This is an interesting viewpoint of shoplifting from the UK. I think it differs slightly from what takes place in the US. What are your thoughts…..

According to media reports, in 2023 the UK experienced an unprecedented wave of shoplifting. The theory goes that the cost of living crisis and poor police responses are driving a crime wave.
— Read on phys.org/news/2023-12-truth-shoplifting-epidemic-key.html

Shoplifting down but ORT up | Modern Policing

This article reports a 33% decrease in retail theft and fraud in Michigan since 2008 and over a 50% decrease nationally in overall retail shrinkage since the 1990s. Experts credit crime prevention technologies such as security cameras, anti-theft tags, and algorithms that monitor employee behavior at the cash register. One worrisome counter-trend is an increase…
— Read on gcordner.wordpress.com/2019/12/10/shoplifting-down-but-ort-up/