More than 1 Million Shoplifters Apprehended in 2011

The new results of the 24^th Annual Retail Theft Survey show a rise in both the number of apprehensions of shoplifters and dishonest employees and the recovery dollars.

The survey, conducted by Jack L. Hayes International, a loss prevention and inventory shrinkage control consulting firm, included 24 large retail companies with 18,518 stores and more than $589 billion in retail sales during 2011, according to a company press release.

At an increase of 5.8 percent from 2010, 1,076,508 shoplifters and dishonest employees were apprehended in 2011.

More than $161 million was recovered from the apprehended shoplifters and dishonest employees, the survey said, marking an 11.4 percent increase from 2010. In total, more than $6.0 billion was stolen from these retailers in 2011.

On a per company basis, one in every 36 employees (based on over 2.8 million employees) was apprehended for theft by his or her employer in 2011. On a per-case average, dishonest employees steal approximately 5.9 times the amount stolen by shoplifters, the survey said, marking a value difference of $665.77 vs. $113.30.

For more results of the survey, visit the Jack L. Hayes International website, or follow up in the Global News & Analysis section of our print editions this summer.

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