Retailers across the United States are facing mounting pressure as organised retail crime (ORC) networks expand their operations, driving sharp increases in theft, fraud and violence.
A new study from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) reveals that incidents of shoplifting and violent encounters rose significantly in 2024, highlighting the growing scale and sophistication of criminal activity targeting the retail sector.
Organised theft networks driving record losses
The Impact of Theft & Violence 2025 report found that the average number of shoplifting incidents rose by 18% last year, while threats or acts of violence linked to theft increased by 17%.
The findings indicate that criminal enterprises are becoming increasingly bold, often exploiting limited law enforcement resources and the inconsistent prosecution of offenders.
According to NRF Vice President for Asset Protection and Retail Operations David Johnston, organised theft groups have expanded their reach and diversified their criminal portfolios.
More than half of retailers surveyed reported sharp rises in phone scams (70%), digital and e-commerce fraud (55%), in-store merchandise theft (52%) and cargo or supply chain theft (50%) during the past year.
Global expansion of retail crime networks
The report underscores the international reach of organised retail crime, with 66% of retailers confirming involvement of transnational gangs in thefts against their businesses.
The scale of these operations has complicated retailers’ ability to investigate or prosecute cases effectively.
Respondents cited limited law enforcement capacity, inadequate asset protection budgets and low prosecutorial engagement as the main barriers to reducing ORC-related losses.
LPRC Executive Director and University of Florida Research Scientist Dr Read Hayes said consistent, industry-wide data was essential to tackling the growing problem.
Without clear benchmarks, he noted, retailers cannot accurately gauge the scope of theft, fraud and violence or assess the effectiveness of prevention measures.
Retailers increase investment in security and technology
In response to escalating theft and violence, retailers are investing heavily in enhanced loss prevention strategies.
Key measures include exterior and interior security upgrades, advanced camera systems, lighting improvements, licence plate readers, locked display cases and redesigned store layouts aimed at deterring theft.
Tony D’Onofrio, President of Sensormatic Solutions, described technology as a crucial element in modern asset protection. Retailers are turning to digital surveillance and real-time data analytics to track incidents and coordinate responses with local authorities.
Despite these investments, many retailers remain reluctant to report all incidents to the police. The study found that 64% of companies reported fewer than half of store-related thefts, citing limited response times and stretched policing resources.
The NRF continues to advocate for federal legislation such as the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, which aims to improve coordination among law enforcement agencies and strengthen tools for investigating and prosecuting cross-border retail crime.
The 2025 survey gathered data from 70 major retail companies representing 168 brands, accounting for over a quarter of total US retail sales in 2024.
The findings offer one of the clearest pictures yet of a sector struggling to adapt to increasingly organised and violent criminal tactics—a challenge with growing implications for the global retail industry.
