JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Retail crime is on the rise ahead of the busiest shopping season, a new report found.
A new National Retail Federation report, developed by UF’s SaferPlaces Lab and the Loss Prevention Research Council, found that retail workers and shoppers may face higher risks this season despite public claims that theft is declining.
The report found:
Retail crime is rising, even as some police data appears flat.
Criminal groups are getting more sophisticated, using technology to disrupt cameras, defeat security systems and coordinate attacks on TikTok and Reddit.
Frontline workers feel less safe than ever, especially during the holiday rush.
High-demand items like apparel and footwear remain top targets, driving retailers to test new protection strategies that still keep stores welcoming.
According to UF researcher Read Hayers, Ph.D, the gap between police data and what retailers report underscores how much crime goes unreported.
The new findings come as holiday shopping is ramping up.
For the November-December holiday season overall, the National Retail Federation estimates that U.S. shoppers will spend more than $1 trillion for the first time this year. But the rate of growth is slowing — with an anticipated increase of 3.7% to 4.2% year over year, compared with 4.3% during last year’s holiday season.
At the same time, credit card debt and delinquencies on other short-term loans have been rising. More and more shoppers are turning to “buy now, pay later” plans, which allow them to delay payments on holiday decor, gifts and other items.
Moreover, experts expect consumers to drive record Cyber Monday spending this year, despite wider economic uncertainty.
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