Organized retail theft rates have spiked significantly in the past year. This theft is perpetrated by organized criminal rings that steal large amounts of goods with the intent to resell them, particularly online.
Small businesses and consumers bear the burden:
According to a recent nationwide U.S. Chamber survey of retail small businesses (MetLife and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Small Business Index), over the past year:
- 56% say they have been victims of shoplifting
- 50% say the issue has gotten worse
- 46% have been forced to increase their prices due to shoplifting
Congress
Congress should pass the Grassley Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023 that establishes a coordinated multi-agency response and creates new tools to tackle evolving trends in organized retail theft.
States
Update the definition of organized retail crime and increase criminal penalties. States can also address this by passing laws allowing for the aggregation of multiple offenses over a period of time.
Localities
Prosecutors must do their job and hold these thieves accountable. Local jurisdictions need to end blanket “do not prosecute” and other similar polices that allows thieves to avoid accountability.
