The D&D Daily's Publicly Reported
2018 Q1 ORC Report

Q1 Cases Up 8.2%
2015 Dramatic 55% Increase Remains Steady
ORC Dollar Amount Remains Flat to LY

Five-Year Quarterly Comparison
2014 thru 2018

With 380 publically reported cases in Q1 ’18 we saw an 8.2% increase over Q1 2017.

2013 was excluded from our comparisons – as it was the first year developing the research model.

2015’s 61% increase over 2014 may be debatable by some. But we feel very confident in the numbers and our research model.

It also corresponds to the dramatic increase in data breaches, cyber crime, credit card & gift card fraud spikes, and the upcoming move to EMV. Therefore we included it in our comparison calculations. Especially given that the last four years ORC publicly reported cases have remained somewhat level which lends creditability to our model and the report itself.

Not to mention the direct link to the opioid epidemic which first started appearing in the headlines around late 2015 early 2016, which could be viewed as another confirmed contributor to the 55% increase in ORC in 2015 and has now grown to such a problem that the vast majority of ORC articles mention addiction as the primary driver.

The fact is that publically reported ORC cases have remained level even with shrinking media outlets and fewer reporters covering individual cities.

This dramatic increase in 2015 and the continued steady levels of activity in our opinion is directly attributed to the growth of the ORC Associations across the America and the great work they do in resolving ORC cases and is obviously supported by all of the new ORC laws sweeping the nation and the increased awareness.

Even with all of these efforts, ORC remains a significant gateway criminal problem and if our research is correct we saw a dramatic 55% increase in 2015 that has remained level. Meaning that, we as an industry are apprehending more but we haven’t been able to turn the tide even with all of the efforts and EMV.

Cyber crime, the internet, and the opioid epidemic have become so engrained in society that ORC is a never ending plague that we all must remain vigilant and continue to fight this problem impacting our stores, our associates, and our customers. As it is this group that negatively impacts store safeness and cost lives in the stores. Let’s keep them all safe out there.

ORC Cases by Average Dollar Amount

Below is a breakdown of the total dollar amount reported in Q1 of each year since 2013, as well as the average dollar amount per case.

We removed two credit card cases and one counterfeit case ($200M in 2014, $325M in 2015 & $200M in 2016) which skewed the average case value.

Removed, the average dollar amount per case ranged from a low of $21,878 to a high of $152,624, as the table below shows.

ORC Cases By Type

Of the 380 total publicly reported ORC cases in 2017, the most popular method used was shoplifting/theft (264 incidents), which represented 69 percent of all cases. Employee theft and burglary/robbery (a combined 19% with 70 incidents) were also common in first quarter cases.

The chart below shows these and other methods used in ORC cases reported by the D&D Daily in Q1 2018.  

ORC Cases by Merchandise Stolen

Of the most common types of merchandise targeted by ORC suspects in Q1 2018, electronics, clothing and tools highest, as the graph indicates. Jewelry, baby formula, cosmetics, drugs and auto parts are also commonly targeted items.

ORC Suspect Comparison

63% Male vs. 37% Female remains consistent over six years.

ORC Cases by State & City

California remains in Top Two six years straight. With Florida and Pennsylvania ranking in the top four for six years as well.
 

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Methodology: The Daily collects this retail store specific information from public news media sources throughout the United States and reports it daily in our Organized Retail Crime column. We do not survey any retailers or third parties nor collect information from any retail executive. All of this information is available through public news media outlets. We do not claim nor does it represent all such incidents or deaths that may occur in retail locations or retail corporate facilities as many may not be reported in the news media depending on a number of variables outside of our control. We are not responsible for the acccuracy of the information reported in the various news media outlets. We do not name any retailer, retail executive, suspect, or victim.

Copyright: We reserve the rights to this industry exclusive report and do not authorize its republication or reproduction without written consent which may include a fee. By re-publishing or reproducing this report or any parts of it without authorization the party agrees to pay a fee determined by the D&D Daily.
 

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