Organised retail crime (ORC) is moving up the political agenda in the United States, as lawmakers in the House of Representatives advance legislation aimed at strengthening coordination between federal, state and local authorities.
The National Retail Federation (NRF), the country’s largest retail trade association, has welcomed the development, saying it marks an important step toward a more unified national response to retail theft.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The proposed legislation, known as the Combating Organised Retail Crime Act, is designed to improve information-sharing and create a more coordinated enforcement structure to tackle theft networks that operate across multiple jurisdictions.
Retail groups argue that fragmented policing has made it harder to pursue organised theft groups that target stores, warehouses and supply chains.
NRF executive vice president of government relations David French said in a statement that “organised retail crime continues to be a multifaceted problem, affecting all parts of the retail industry and the customers they serve.”
He added that criminal groups are increasingly “exploiting vulnerabilities across the entire retail ecosystem for financial gain” and operating across state lines, making national coordination more important.
The bill has gained bipartisan support in the House Judiciary Committee, reflecting growing political attention to retail crime in Washington.
Coordination push
At the centre of the proposed legislation is the creation of a federal coordination structure within the Department of Homeland Security’s investigative arm. The aim is to improve collaboration between agencies and strengthen the ability to investigate organised theft groups.
According to NRF, the current enforcement landscape is inconsistent, with retailers often relying on a mix of local police and private security. Industry representatives argue that this patchwork approach has not kept pace with increasingly organised and cross-border criminal activity.
The legislation would formalise cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, alongside private-sector retailers, in an effort to improve case-building and prosecution rates.
Industry pressure
Retailers have intensified lobbying efforts in recent years as concerns over theft, fraud and supply chain crime have grown.
NRF research cited in recent policy submissions suggests that many retailers have reported rising levels of external theft, alongside other forms of fraud affecting both physical stores and e-commerce channels.
In its policy work, the federation has argued that “nearly all retailers view federal legislation as necessary” to address organised retail crime effectively, reflecting a belief that state-level measures alone are insufficient.
Industry figures also warn that organised groups are diversifying their methods, moving beyond shoplifting to include digital fraud, cargo theft and other supply chain-related crimes.
This has added pressure on policymakers to adopt broader definitions of retail crime and more integrated enforcement tools.
Broader impact
Supporters of the bill argue that retail crime is not limited to financial losses for businesses but also affects consumers and employees through higher costs, increased security measures and changes in store operations.
Retailers in several countries have reported similar trends, including increased investment in loss prevention technologies and changes to store layouts in response to theft risk.
While the scale and legal frameworks differ internationally, the US debate reflects a wider global concern about the rise of organised theft networks targeting retail supply chains.
As the legislation moves through Congress, its prospects will depend on continued bipartisan agreement and how effectively lawmakers balance enforcement measures with broader criminal justice priorities.
For now, the issue remains firmly on the Washington agenda, with retailers continuing to press for swift passage of a federal framework to tackle organised retail crime.
