National Retail Federation - Organized Retail Crime

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2012 Organized Retail Crime Survey

Organized retail crime isn’t only costly for businesses, it’s dangerous, and the problem extends far beyond stores, according to NRF’s eighth annual Organized Retail Crime survey.

Read the press release.
Read the full report.

Crime Inc: Stolen Goods

LP Conference & EXPO 2012

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In the News

Chicago among hardest hit as retail thefts rise
Chicago Tribune (6/5/12)

L.A., Orange Counties among top areas for organized retail crime
L.A. Times (6/5/12)

Latest on Organized Retail Crime

A Record 96% of Retailers Say They Were Victims of Organized Retail Crime in Past Year

Nearly every retailer in the country is impacted by organized retail crime, according to NRF’s annual survey of loss prevention execs, and the problem is affecting the safety of associates and shoppers.

More on organized retail crime
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CNBC documents dangers, realities of organized retail crime on Crime, Inc.
How state associations can impact the fight against ORC

Background

Organized retail crime (ORC) refers to groups, gangs and sometimes individuals who are engaged in illegally obtaining retail merchandise through both theft and fraud in substantial quantities as part of a criminal enterprise. These crime rings generally consist of "boosters" - who methodically steal merchandise from retail stores - and fence operators who convert the product to cash or drugs as part of the criminal enterprise.

Precise measurements of the true scope of this problem are difficult to determine given the inherently secretive nature of these criminal operators. According to Congressional testimony and industry experts, ORC losses total an estimated $15-30 billion annually.

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Legislation and Policy

For years, retailers and other vested parties have worked together to tackle organized retail crime. These partnerships include regional groups and associations who host meetings to share intelligence and work with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Even with the success of these partnerships organized retail crime remains a Federal issue because it crosses state lines. NRF strongly believes that organized retail crime must be addressed through Federal legislation, by amending the Federal Criminal Code to effectively address the organized and serious nature of this issue and, be properly defined as a federal crime with appropriate sentencing guidelines as well as providing Federal law enforcement the resources needed to combat this crime.

Fast Facts

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96.0% Percentage of retailers who have been a victim of organized retail crime in last year
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15.0% Average percentage of apprehensions retailers say lead to some level of violence
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54.4% Percentage of retailers who believe their top management understands organized retail crime
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Baltimore, San Francisco; Sample of cities retailers rank as being most impacted by organized theft activity
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52.1% Percentage of retailers who have been a victim of cargo theft in last year
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73.4% Percentage of retailers who have identified or recovered stolen merchandise through eFencing location
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Jonathan Gold
VP, Supply Chain and Customs Policy

Rich Mellor
Vice President, Loss Prevention

Kathy Grannis
Director, Media Relations