Retail theft remains an ongoing concern for security leaders. Not only is there a loss in merchandise, but rising theft can put both employees and customers at risk. Jack L. Hayes International released its retail theft survey that analyzed shoplifting and dishonest employees.
The survey included 26 large retailers and more than 22,000 stores. Of these participants, more than 340,000 dishonest individuals were apprehended, a 45.6% increase compared to 2021. The survey defined dishonest employees as those who committed or witnessed theft. Survey participants cited an increase in organized retail crime (ORC), lower staffing and a shift out of the pandemic as reasons for increased shoplifting apprehensions. Reasons cited for decreases in apprehensions included understaffed police departments, safety-related policies and a focus on merchandise recoveries.