A new national study finds retailers are continuing to face increasing levels of theft and violence. The Impact of Theft & Violence 2025 report, released by the National Retail Federation and the Loss Prevention Research Council and sponsored by Sensormatic Solutions, shows an 18 percent increase in shoplifting incidents and a 17 percent rise in threats or acts of violence in 2024 compared with the previous year.
The report highlights a troubling shift in organized retail crime, with criminal groups expanding beyond in-store theft into more sophisticated digital, phone, and supply chain schemes. Nearly two-thirds of retailers reported activity from transnational organized groups. Limited law enforcement resources and a lack of prosecutorial follow-through remain major barriers to addressing these crimes.
Retailers are responding by investing in stronger security measures such as improved lighting, cameras, license plate readers, and redesigned store layouts. Industry experts emphasize the importance of shared data and cross-sector coordination to understand and combat the problem.
The National Retail Federation continues to urge Congress to pass the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, which would strengthen collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement to address these growing threats.
