Retail violence has increased significantly in the past few years. According to the National Retail Federation’s 2023 Retail Security Survey, 88% percent of retailers reported that shoplifters are more aggressive and violent compared with one year ago. And those that specifically track the number of violent shoplifting incidents reported that they saw their number of shoplifting events involving violence increase by over one-third (35%) on average.  

No retailer is immune. Convenience stores, fast food restaurants, grocery stores and malls are likely targets. Any type of retailer can experience in-store violence, with perpetrators ranging from unstable or angry individuals to organized retail crime (ORC) gangs.