“Retailers are contending with rising levels of theft, fraud and violence, while continuing to refine security measures, utilize technologies and partner with law enforcement in efforts to curtail loss across the retail landscape.”
WASHINGTON – The retail industry continues to grapple with increasing levels of theft and violence, according to a new study released today by the National Retail Federation and the Loss Prevention Research Council and sponsored by Sensormatic Solutions. The Impact of Theft & Violence 2025 found that retailers reported an 18% increase in the average number of shoplifting incidents per year in 2024 versus 2023 and threats or acts of violence during shoplifting or theft events increased 17% during that same time period, indicating that criminal enterprises are becoming more brazen and dangerous.
“Retailers are contending with rising levels of theft, fraud and violence, while continuing to refine security measures, utilize technologies and partner with law enforcement in efforts to curtail loss across the retail landscape,” said NRF Vice President for Asset Protection and Retail Operations David Johnston. “While some progress is apparent, organized theft groups have expanded their scope, taking advantage of retailers’ strained resources and lagging prosecutorial support nationwide.”
The 2025 report documents a troubling shift in ORC operations, moving beyond physical store theft into more sophisticated forms. The data shows that organized groups are now diversifying their criminal portfolios, exploiting vulnerabilities across the entire retail ecosystem. More than half of retailers surveyed reported increases in phone scams (70%), digital and ecommerce frauds (55%), shoplifting and merchandise theft (52%), and cargo or supply chain thefts (50%) being conducted by ORC groups over the past 12 months.
ORC is global in scope, with 66% of retailers reporting the involvement of a transnational ORC group in thefts against their company during the past year. Limited law enforcement and retail asset protection resources and lack of prosecutors’ willingness to prosecute are the top three reasons impacting retailers’ ability to investigate or prosecute ORC activities.
“Reliable, industry-wide metrics are critical to addressing these challenges,” said University of Florida Research Scientist and Loss Prevention Research Council Executive Director Read Hayes, Ph.D. “Without shared data, it is difficult to fully understand the scope of theft, fraud and violence, or to measure the impact of prevention efforts. By establishing clear benchmarks, retailers can begin to identify the most urgent risks and prioritize resources.”
In response to the escalating threat, retailers have dramatically increased their investment in multi-layered security strategies. Exterior security, interior security and merchandise protection are the top measures retailers reported as increasing this past year. Measures include cameras, lighting, license plate readers, locking cases and changing store layouts.
“This year’s report is a reminder of the complexities we must navigate when it comes to the growing and evolving issue of retail theft and violence,” said Sensormatic Solutions President Tony D’Onofrio. “Our retail partners are making substantial investments in loss prevention, and technology is the crucial link in enabling asset protection teams to thwart these pervasive crimes.”
Retailers are enhancing their security investments, and close coordination with law enforcement and the judicial system are essential to deter criminal actions against retailers. The majority (64%) of retailers say that they reported less than half of their store-related theft incidents to law enforcement. Lack of law enforcement response served as the primary reason.
NRF continues to advocate for Congress to pass the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, which would enhance coordination between federal, state and local law enforcement and provide the tools necessary to tackle the transnational nature of these crimes.
The survey was conducted online among senior loss prevention and security executives in the retail industry from June to August 2025. A total of 70 retail companies responded to the survey, representing 168 brands across a variety of retail sectors. These brands represented $1.3 trillion in annual sales for their 2024 fiscal year or 25.1% of total retail sales. The majority (63%) have more than 10,000 employees, and more than half (56%) operate at least 500 stores.
View The Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2025 study here.
About NRF
The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies. nrf.com
About the Loss Prevention Research Council
The Loss Prevention Research Council was founded in 2000 by leading retailers and Dr. Read Hayes in an effort to support the evidence-based needs of loss prevention decision-makers. To date the LPRC has conducted over 400 real-world loss prevention research projects for retailers and partners. The LPRC strives to provide comprehensive research, development opportunities, and collaborative spaces for our members that will enable the innovation of loss and crime control solutions.
About Sensormatic Solutions
Sensormatic Solutions, the leading global retail solutions portfolio of Johnson Controls, powers safe, secure and seamless retail experiences. For 60 years, the brand has been at the forefront of the industry’s fast-moving technology adoption, redefining retail operations on a global scale and turning insights into actions. Sensormatic Solutions delivers an interconnected ecosystem of loss prevention, inventory intelligence and traffic insight solutions, along with our services and partners to enable retailers worldwide to innovate and elevate with precision, connecting data-driven outcomes that shape retail’s future.
