With organized retail theft topping $25 billion annually, retailers around the nation are working to protect themselves from crime rings, cargo theft and professional shoplifters. In a continued effort to increase awareness on trends in organized retail theft, the National Retail Federation (NRF) has published a 124-page white paper that defines the problem and offers solutions. Written and researched by Charles I. Miller, CPP, CSP Security Consultant, “Organized Retail Theft: Raising Awareness, Offering Solutions,” examines how highly skilled theft rings operate in the retail industry.
“Retailers are losing billions of dollars each year to organized retail crime, but beyond the financial losses, we are seeing this form of crime become increasingly violent,” said Joseph LaRocca, NRF Vice President of Loss Prevention. “Organized crime does not only affect a retailer’s bottom line, it also affects the safety and security of their employees and customers.”
There is no question that organized retail theft is a growing problem in the retail industry. According to a survey conducted by NRF, more than three-fourths (78%) of executives polled said that their company has been a victim of organized retail theft in the past 12 months and nearly one-half (46%) have witnessed an increase in organized criminal activity over the past year.
The white paper examines reasons that organized retail crime has grown, how crime rings are structured and operate, what efforts are being made to combat and reduce cargo theft, and the most common types of merchandise stolen. In addition, summaries and commentary on recent major organized retail theft rings are detailed, as well as shoplifting incidents from across the country. Complete testimony from the FBI and local law enforcement officers are offered, along with results of NRF's Organized Retail Theft Survey and recommended loss prevention measures.
“Organized retail theft is the most serious security issue facing many retailers,” said Charles I. Miller, CPP, CSP Security Consultant, and author of the white paper. “This in-depth study was conducted to aid retailers in protecting themselves, their employees and their businesses from what has turned into a rampant form of theft.”
“Organized Retail Theft: Raising Awareness, Offering Solutions,” is available through the NRF bookstore, www.nrf.com/bookstore, for $75 and offered to NRF members for the discounted price of $50. Discounts are available for multiple copies, as well as for education institutions, law enforcement agencies and retail trade associations.
The National Retail Federation is the world's largest retail trade association, with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet, independent stores, chain restaurants, drug stores and grocery stores as well as the industry's key trading partners of retail goods and services. NRF represents an industry with more than 1.4 million U.S. retail establishments, more than 23 million employees - about one in five American workers - and 2004 sales of $4.1 trillion. As the industry umbrella group, NRF also represents more than 100 state, national and international retail associations.
