For Immediate Release Contact: Ellen Tolley/Scott Krugman (202) 783-7971 E-Mail: krugmans@nrf.com or tolleye@nrf.com *** MEDIA AVAILABILITY *** THE COST OF SHOPLIFTING: $10.23 BILLION PER YEAR --NRF's Loss Prevention expert Dan Butler available today for broadcast and print interviews--  WHAT:  NRF's Loss Prevention expert Dan Butler available today (11/7/02) for broadcast and print interviews  WHO: Dan Butler, Vice-President of Retail Operations for the National Retail Federation  WHEN:   Broadcast interview availability times today between 11:30-3:00 p.m. and after 4:00 p.m. EST  HOW:   To schedule a TV appearance, or to speak with Dan Butler, call Ellen Tolley or Scott Krugman at (202) 783-7971           With the sizeable national interest of the Winona Ryder shoplifting case, many are left to wonder how much shoplifting really plays a part in retailers' losses and consumer's prices. The National Retail Federation estimates that shoplifting cost retailers $10.23 billion in 2001, up from 8.45 billion in 2000. Increased losses mean increased prices, from the smallest retailers up to the nation's leading discounters. What does shoplifting mean for consumers? "When shoplifting levels are high, consumers pay the price," said Dan Butler, Vice President of Retail Operations for the National Retail Federation. "Stores must focus more on loss prevention and, in turn, less on customer service. Also, prices inevitably will increase for consumers because retailers have to make up those losses." What can the Winona Ryder case teach us about shoplifting today? "I think what the Winona Ryder case illustrates is that retailers are really adopting a zero tolerance policy when it comes to shoplifting," said Dan Butler, Vice President of Retail Operations for the National Retail Federation. "Retailers want to get the message across that shoplifting-by anyone, at any time-will not be tolerated." How are retailers trying to prevent shoplifting? "Retailers are always working on ways to prevent shoplifting or reduce their losses due to theft," said Dan Butler, Vice President of Retail Operations for the National Retail Federation. "Advances in technology are playing a large role in the improvement of loss prevention systems. For example, technology now makes it possible for retailers to monitor activity in stores across the country, and new systems will also track activity for retailers. New technology enables loss prevention to be more accurate and efficient than ever before." A background on Dan Butler: Dan Butler was named Vice President, Retail Operations for the National Retail Federation (NRF), the world's largest retail trade association, in January 2001. Butler is responsible for committee meetings of top retail executives, developing conference programming, and ensuring that NRF members are well informed and on the cutting-edge of retail industry issues. He serves as the NRF liaison to several member committees, including the Loss Prevention Committee, Diversity Council, Human Resources Specialty Store Roundtable, and Internal Audit Committee. Butler is a retail veteran with over two decades of store-line experience in retail management, merchandising, and human resources. His career includes a history of exceeding sales plans, reducing associate turnover, and achieving inventory control objectives Prior to joining NRF, Butler was Vice President and Store Manager at Macy's department store in Miami, Florida. While at Macy's, he managed a store with $48 million in annual sales volume and he successfully reduced dollar shrinkage and internal and external shortage. Before joining Macy's in 1998, Butler spent 13 years with Hecht's department stores, first as division sales manager and then as store manager for stores in central Pennsylvania. He was named Division Sales Manager of the Year twice while serving in that capacity.           The National Retail Federation (NRF) 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 and independent stores. NRF members represent an industry that encompasses more than 1.4 million U.S. retail establishments employs more than 20 million people -- about 1 in 5 American workers -- and registered 2001 sales of $3.5 trillion. NRF's international members operate stores in more than 50 nations. In its role as the retail industry's umbrella group, NRF also represents 32 national and 50 state associations in the U.S. as well as 36 international associations representing retailers abroad. For more information about NRF, please visit www.nrf.com.