Consumer Behavior
Theft, violence on the rise in retail
November 7, 2025
Violence and theft are increasing in the retail industry with retailers reporting a 18% jump in the average number of shoplifting acts per year from 2023 to 2024, and the threat of violence, during a theft incident, increasing 17% in the same time period.
Those are findings from a study, "The Impact of Theft & Violence 2025," released by the National Retail Federation and the Loss Prevention Research Council and sponsored by Sensormatic Solutions, according to a press release.
"Retailers are contending with rising levels of theft, fraud and violence, while continuing to refine security measures, utilize technologies and partner with law enforcement in efforts to curtail loss across the retail landscape," NRF Vice President for Asset Protection and Retail Operations David Johnston said in the release. "While some progress is apparent, organized theft groups have expanded their scope, taking advantage of retailers' strained resources and lagging prosecutorial support nationwide."
The 2025 report shows organized groups are diversifying criminal portfolios, exploiting vulnerabilities across the entire retail ecosystem.
More than half of retailers surveyed reported increases in phone scams (70%), digital and e-commerce frauds (55%), shoplifting and merchandise theft (52%), and cargo or supply chain thefts (50%) being conducted by ORC groups over the past 12 months.
Limited law enforcement and retail asset protection resources and lack of prosecutors' willingness to prosecute are the top three reasons impacting retailers' ability to investigate or prosecute the theft and violence activities, according to the report.
"Reliable, industry-wide metrics are critical to addressing these challenges," University of Florida Research Scientist and Loss Prevention Research Council Executive Director Read Hayes said in the release. "Without shared data, it is difficult to fully understand the scope of theft, fraud and violence, or to measure the impact of prevention efforts. By establishing clear benchmarks, retailers can begin to identify the most urgent risks and prioritize resources."
The survey was conducted online among senior loss prevention and security executives in the retail industry from June to August 2025. A total of 70 retail companies responded to the survey, representing 168 brands across a variety of retail sectors.
