InsideOutdoor | SPRING/SUMMER 2023 10 Organized retail crime (ORC) is a perpetual and burgeoning problem for the U.S. retail industry, and evidence suggests it is growing in scope and complexity, according to a report released by the National Retail Federation. The report, Organized Retail Crime: An Assessment of a Persistent and Growing Threat, was conducted in partnership with K2 Integrity, a global risk advisory firm. And in a June statement, the NRF said 55 percent of consumers believe retail crimes such as shoplifting and looting stores have increased in their community since the onset of the pandemic. That number is slightly higher – 57 percent –. for consumers living in the suburbs. Other key survey findings include: Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of consumers are concerned about gang-led shoplifting in their community. This goes up to 75 percent among consumers who live in urban communities. • Three-quarters (75 percent) of consumers have personally shopped in stores where products were kept in locked cabinets to avoid theft. • 79 percent of consumers believe retail theft impacts the price of goods that they buy. • Half (51 percent) say law enforcement and the courts are too lenient on those who steal from stores. Loss in billions “Organized retail crime has been a major concern for the retail industry for decades, endangering store employees and customers, disrupting store operations and inflicting billions in financial loss for retailers and the communities they serve,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. “These concerns have grown in recent years, as criminal groups have become more brazen and violent in their tactics and are using new channels to resell stolen goods. “NRF and its members have been forcefully advocating for the ‘Combating Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Act’ in Congress because it’s time for decisive action, not just platitudes and endless debate,” Shay added. While waiting for the ORC legislation, which the NRF is spearheading, some relief was promised in December, when the INFORM Consumer Act was passed. It takes effect this month and will require online marketplaces to verify the identities of high-volume third-party sellers. According to Loss Prevention Magazine, the INFORM Consumers Act, was enacted to ensure the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and states Attorneys General enforce the law as a top priority for retailers. “Seeing the INFORM Act become law was a tremendous accomplishment, but our work battling organized retail crime is far from over,” said Michael Hanson, Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) Bi-partisan Support Looks to Combat Organized Retail Crime By Bruce christian Retail Losses
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