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Retailers: We need feds in fight against organized crime activity

The issue is even worse than last year with nearly 100 percent of retailers reporting an incident.

September 16, 2015

Organized crime is worse than ever for retailers with nearly 100 percent reporting a crime incident, according to a new National Retail Federation survey.

The theft activity is now a $30 billion industry issues, according to the survey, and 97 percent of retailers polled report being a victim. That’s a jump from 88.2 percent in 2014.

"Organized retail crime continues to be an issue plaguing retailers, and there continues to be a need to pass strong ORC legislation that defines the issues and provides law enforcement with the necessary tools to help retailers combat the issue," NRF VP of Supply Chain and Custom Policy Jon Gold stated in an announcement. "These vast and often dangerous crimes are not limited to any state or jurisdiction and are why we continue to push for federal legislation.”"

The issue requires federal law enforcement attention, according to 78.8 percent of retailers polled.

"Even with state-of-the-art technology available, trained employees on the ready, extensive partnerships with all levels of law enforcement and additional resources on hand, retailers continue to grapple with the challenges that come with fighting organized retail crime," said NRF VP of Loss Prevention Bob Moraca, in the study release. "Brazen and often dangerous criminals are finding new ways every day to manipulate the retail supply chain; from the docks where merchandise comes in to criminal flash mobs that involve several individuals running into a store at once, the methods used by crime gangs today run the gamut. These new criminal methods are making it even more crucial for retailers and law enforcement to work together to combat this crime."

The study noted which cities and regions are the top targets for such criminal enterprises:

1. Los Angeles
2. Miami
3. Chicago
4. New York
5. Houston
6. Arlington/Dallas/Ft.Worth
7. San Francisco/Oakland
8. Baltimore
9. Orange County, Calif.
10. Northern New Jersey