All articles tagged with #organized retail crime
Kroger has implemented receipt checks and banned large bags at six Columbus-area stores to combat increased theft. This move follows a rise in organized retail crime and violent incidents involving security guards at some locations. The Ohio Chamber of Commerce and Ohio Council of Retail Merchants highlight the significant impact of organized theft on businesses.
A 22-year-old California man, Tyler Mims, was arrested for allegedly stealing 50 iPhones worth $49,230 from an Apple Store in Berkeley. The theft was captured on video and went viral on social media. Mims was charged with burglary, grand theft, and organized retail theft. This incident was part of a series of grand thefts from the same Apple Store, which the police identified as organized retail crimes. Mims was one of three individuals arrested in a joint operation involving the Emeryville Police Department, Berkeley Police Department, and California Highway Patrol.
A 22-year-old California man, Tyler Mims, was arrested for allegedly stealing nearly $50,000 worth of iPhones from an Apple Store in Berkeley. He was caught on video snatching display devices before walking past a police vehicle and fleeing to a getaway car. Mims was charged with burglary, grand theft, and other crimes, and was one of three individuals arrested in connection with the theft. The video of the theft went viral on social media, garnering over 10 million views, and the Apple Store had been closed for several months last year but reopened in January.
Three individuals were arrested after stealing approximately 75 iPhones from the Berkeley Apple Store, with police suspecting them of being involved in several organized retail theft crimes. The store has been repeatedly targeted by thieves this year, with previous incidents involving multiple thefts of Apple devices.
LA County DA Gascón is cracking down on smash-and-grab retail thefts, with hundreds of cases being prosecuted and over 580 arrests made by local task forces. Gascón emphasizes that there will be severe consequences for those involved, including getaway drivers and sellers of stolen merchandise, under a new state law that makes organized theft a felony. He stresses that individuals engaged in this activity will be held accountable, but the severity of consequences will depend on various factors.
A CNBC investigation has found that Target's explanation for closing nine stores due to theft and organized retail crime is questionable, as the locations it chose to shutter generally had fewer reported crimes than nearby stores that remained open. The investigation raises doubts about whether Target's announcement was a tactic to advance its legislative agenda and divert attention from poor financial performance. In some cases, Target kept open stores in busier areas with higher foot traffic and incomes, despite higher rates of theft and violence. The findings suggest that Target's claims about safety concerns may not be the sole reason for the store closures.
Home Depot Vice President of Asset Protection, Scott Glenn, testified before Congress, urging them to pass the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023 to combat the increasingly aggressive and dangerous actions of organized retail crime groups. Glenn highlighted the threats faced by employees and the need for federal coordination with state and local law enforcement. The availability of drugs, particularly opioids and fentanyl, has driven the need for quick cash, contributing to the rise in theft. Despite efforts to prevent such incidents, the problem persists, leading retailers like Home Depot to take additional security measures.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) has retracted its claim that organized retail crime accounted for nearly half of all inventory losses in 2021. The NRF acknowledged challenges in gathering accurate data and removed the statistic from its report, which was conducted in partnership with K2 Integrity. The error stemmed from a misinterpretation of a quote from a former president of the Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail (CLEAR). CLEAR stands by its estimate that organized retail crime leads to $45 billion in annual inventory losses. Retail crime data is often unclear, with shoplifting trends showing mixed results across different cities. Some experts suggest that companies may be using the focus on theft to divert attention from other challenges in the retail industry.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) has revised a report that previously claimed organized retail crime accounted for nearly half of overall industry shrink. The revision comes after Retail Dive found mistakes in the data, leading to the NRF removing estimates of organized retail crime's impact and any reference to the Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail (CLEAR). The NRF acknowledges the challenges in gathering accurate data on theft incidents and recognizes that organized retail crime remains a serious problem for retailers of all sizes. However, the extent and changing nature of the shoplifting problem still require further data analysis.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) has retracted its claim that "organized retail crime" accounted for nearly half of the $94.5 billion losses due to theft or "shrink" in the US retail industry in 2021. The NRF stated that the claim was based on an inference made by an analyst from a risk consultancy, and not directly from their own survey. However, the NRF still maintains that organized retail crime is a significant concern for the industry, as criminal groups have become more brazen and violent in their tactics. Retailers and politicians continue to address the issue of theft, but larger retailers are now acknowledging that the problem may have been exaggerated.
The National Retail Federation (NRF), a leading retail lobbying group, has retracted a key claim about inventory losses after an investigation revealed its inaccuracy. The NRF had published a report stating that nearly half of the estimated $94.5 billion lost to shrink in 2021 was attributable to organized retail crime (ORC), contradicting its own annual shrink survey. The retraction highlights the difficulty in accurately measuring the impact and source of inventory losses in the retail industry. The NRF acknowledges the challenges in gathering and analyzing data on theft but emphasizes that organized retail crime remains a serious problem. The incident raises skepticism about the reliability of industry data and reinforces the need for accurate information to inform policy decisions.
The National Retail Federation has retracted its claim that nearly half of the $94 billion in retail losses in 2021 were due to organized retail crime, stating that the claim was based on faulty data and an unconfirmed statement. While retail theft remains a concern, experts highlight that the reasons behind store closings are complex and include factors such as post-pandemic commuting patterns and the rise of online shopping. The NRF acknowledges the challenges in gathering accurate data on incidents and emphasizes the need for collaboration between the retail industry and law enforcement to address the issue.
More than a dozen suspects, described as four Black females and 13 Black males aged between 15 to 20 years old, ransacked a Nike Store in Los Angeles, stealing approximately $12,000 worth of merchandise. The suspects, wearing masks and hoodies, entered the store with trash bags and quickly filled them with shoes and clothing before fleeing the scene. The incident was captured on video, showing the suspects causing chaos in the store. Flash mob retail crimes have become a significant issue in Los Angeles, prompting the formation of a dedicated task force to combat organized retail crime.
Shoplifting in Dallas has increased by 73% in the first half of this year, making it one of the highest rates among major US cities. The rise in theft has prompted retailers to implement security measures such as locked cases and security gates. The increase in shoplifting may be attributed to a combination of rising incidents and increased reporting to the police. Dallas is also experiencing a rise in organized retail crime, where criminal groups steal and resell merchandise for profit. Retailers are sharing information and videos of thieves to catch and convict them.
A new report by the National Retail Federation (NRF) reveals that retail theft, particularly organized retail crime, has been on the rise in the US, resulting in significant inventory losses for retailers. The cities most impacted by retail theft in 2022 were Los Angeles, Oakland/San Francisco, Houston, New York City, and Seattle. The NRF emphasizes that retail crime affects businesses of all sizes and locations across the country and advocates for comprehensive research and collaborative solutions to combat theft. Congress has also passed the INFORM ACT to address the sale of counterfeit goods and dangerous products online.