The Truth Behind the Shoplifting Surge Perception

While there have been reports of a surge in shoplifting in the United States, data suggests that the increase is limited to a few cities rather than being a national trend. In most of the country, retail theft has actually been lower this year compared to a few years ago. Shoplifting incidents in major cities, excluding New York City, have fallen by 7% since 2019. The attention given to the issue may be due to amplified stories from news outlets and social media, despite the overall data showing a decline in shoplifting.