Annual Retail Theft Survey -- More Losses from Shoplifters and Dishonest Employees in 2019
More than 348,000 shoplifters and dishonest employees were apprehended in 2019 by 21 large retailers who recovered more than $136 million, says the 32nd Annual Retail Theft Survey by Jack L. Hayes International.
“Two-thirds of retailers participating in this survey reported an increase in shrink in 2019, which is reflected in their reported apprehensions and recovery dollars. Overall apprehensions increased 2.44% and recovery dollars from those apprehensions were up 4.88%. Shoplifting apprehensions and recover dollars increased 3.04% and 3.50% respectively, with recovery dollars from shoplifting incidents without an apprehension increasing by 11% (to $176 million) over the prior year,” said Mark R. Doyle, President of Jack L. Hayes International, Inc. “While employee theft apprehensions were down 2.93%, the recovery dollars from those apprehensions increased 7.75%. Overall, retail theft continues to be a serious problem for retailers negatively impacting their bottom-line, and creating more out-of-stocks and higher prices to the consumer.”