A nine-day operation targeting organised retail crime across 32 US states resulted in more than 1,900 apprehensions and arrests and the recovery or prevention of more than $2m (£1.5m) in retail theft losses.
The second National Organised Retail Crime Blitz, held from 1 to 9 August, brought together 84 law enforcement agencies and 40 retail brands, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF), the US retail trade body.
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The initiative was coordinated by the NRF, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Cook County Regional Organised Crime Task Force and the Los Angeles Organised Retail Crime Association.
It focused on intelligence sharing, coordinated investigations and targeted enforcement against organised retail crime (ORC). The term generally refers to groups stealing or fraudulently obtaining goods for resale and financial gain.
Operation spans 32 US states
During the nine-day operation, participating agencies made more than 1,900 apprehensions and arrests. They also reported 42 cases involving the recovery of controlled substances, seven leads concerning the sale of stolen merchandise, six stolen vehicles recovered and eight weapons seized.
In one case, an apprehension led authorities to identify a person who had been trafficked and forced to steal for her abductors. The individual received medical care, while the trafficking investigation remains ongoing.
The operation also resulted in more than $2m in retail theft losses being recovered or prevented, according to the NRF.
NRF vice-president of asset protection and retail operations David Johnston said the operation showed what could be achieved through cooperation between retailers and law enforcement.
“Organised retail crime continues to pose a significant threat to retailers and communities,” Johnston said.
Cook County Regional Organised Crime Task Force deputy director Edward Henkel said organised retail crime was most effectively addressed when retailers and law enforcement worked together.
“The campaign spotlights the impact of intelligence sharing and coordinated investigations,” Henkel said.
Retail theft shifts beyond shoplifting
The operation comes as US retailers report changes in patterns of theft and fraud.
The NRF’s Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2026 study found that average shoplifting incidents among respondents declined by 12.4% in 2025 compared with 2024. Merchandise theft incidents fell by 8.1% over the same period.
However, retailers reported increases in other forms of retail crime. Half of those surveyed reported more repeat-offender activity, while 40% reported an increase in organised retail crime-related shoplifting events. A further 37% reported more walkout or pushout theft, where offenders leave a store with goods without paying.
Retailers also reported increases in other forms of external theft and fraud, including phone scams, loyalty fraud and gift card theft or fraud.
The survey was conducted between February and April 2026 among senior loss prevention and security executives at 66 retail companies representing 143 brands. Together, the companies accounted for $1.7tn in annual sales during their 2025 financial years, equivalent to 31.6% of total US retail sales.
The findings indicate that while conventional shoplifting and merchandise theft declined among respondents, retailers are reporting growth in other forms of theft and fraud.
Organised retail crime crosses jurisdictions
The NRF says organised retail crime investigations are becoming more complex as criminal groups operate across multiple jurisdictions and use both physical and digital channels.
Retailers surveyed for the 2026 report reported increases in several types of crime attributed to ORC groups, including phone scams, gift card fraud and cargo or supply chain theft.
The survey found that 53% of retailers had participated in law enforcement investigations involving transnational theft groups during the previous year.
Limited law enforcement resources were cited by 61% of respondents as affecting their ability to investigate and prosecute organised retail crime. Cross-jurisdictional theft and insufficient multi-agency information sharing and investigative coordination were each cited by 49%.
The findings highlight the challenges involved in investigating criminal groups whose activities can extend across stores, supply chains, digital channels and multiple jurisdictions.
US retailers seek federal coordination
The enforcement operation comes as the US retail sector continues to call for greater coordination between federal, state and local authorities.
The US House of Representatives passed the Combating Organised Retail Crime Act in May. The legislation is intended to strengthen federal coordination and help state and local law enforcement agencies identify and investigate organised retail crime groups operating across jurisdictions.
The NRF is urging the US Senate to advance the legislation.
The policy debate comes as retailers face a crime landscape extending beyond conventional shoplifting. Recent industry research points to a combination of organised shoplifting, fraud, cargo theft and digital scams, while the August operation demonstrates the scale of cooperation between retailers and law enforcement when investigations span multiple US states.
