Top Targeted Store Type?
Grocery Stores Are Easiest to Steal From: Survey

Lending Tree finds that 90% of recent shoplifters steal due to inflation and the current economy

Twenty-three percent of Americans have shoplifted, according to the survey from Charlotte, N.C.-based online lending marketplace LendingTree of 2,000 U.S. consumers — and 90% of recent shoplifters said that they were motivated to do so because of inflation and the current economy. More than a third (34%) said that they rely on five-finger discounts because prices have become unaffordable, while 30% said that it helps make ends meet.

Shoplifters are more likely to take from chain stores (52%) than local stores (28%). They admitted that their thievery is easiest in the grocery channel (46%). The most common items that shoplifters target are food and nonalcoholic drinks (45%).

As American steal daily essentials amid continual economic uncertainty, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission recently revealed a probe into why grocery prices remain high. Major grocery chains would be ordered to provide information on their costs and prices on common products.

According to the LendingTree survey, shoplifters are most likely to hide the items on their bodies (55%) or in purses or bags (36%), while 25% are bold enough to walk out with their loot in plain sight.

Barely more than half (52%) of shoplifters said that they got away with it, while 48% revealed that they were caught red-handed. Of those caught, 33% were warned, 24% were arrested and 22% were banned from the store.

Overall, 18% of Americans confided that today’s antitheft technology doesn’t deter them from shoplifting. progressivegrocer.com


The Latest Hot Topic: How Theft is Pushing Shoppers From Store to Internet
Consumers may feel as though they are being treated as potential thieves

Shoppers’ Frustrations With Locked-Up Pharmacy Items Drives eCommerce Adoption
The rise in concerns about shoplifting and organized retail crime has compelled retailers to adopt more stringent security measures. Products ranging from high-end cosmetics to everyday essentials are now often encased in plastic or metal enclosures, accessible only with the assistance of store personnel. While this approach may reduce shrink, it also introduces a layer of friction into the shopping journey that can erode customer loyalty.

Consumers may feel as though they are being treated as potential thieves, leading to frustration and resentment. Moreover, the need to locate a store associate to unlock items can be time-consuming and disruptive. Shoppers accustomed to quick and convenient access to products now face the inconvenience of locating store associates to unlock cases. This added step can be frustrating, especially in stores with understaffed floors, leading to longer wait times and potential abandonment of purchases.

For instance, a shopper needing a simple item like shaving cream might have to wait several minutes for an employee to retrieve it. This delay not only disrupts the shopping flow but also diminishes the overall customer experience. In an era where convenience is paramount, such impediments can significantly affect shopper satisfaction.

The long-term impact of locked cases on customer loyalty is a pressing concern for retailers. Frictionless shopping experiences are critical components of customer loyalty. PYMNTS Intelligence’s report last year “Consumer Inflation Sentiment: The False Appeal of Deal-Chasing Consumers” revealed that, when buying non-grocery retail products, more two-thirds of shoppers cited ease and convenience as key factors influencing their choice of merchant.  pymnts.com


California's New Bill to Authorize Warrantless Shoplifting Arrests
Bill to Make it Easier to Arrest Suspected Shoplifters Passes Assembly
Several weeks ago, the California State Assembly voted for a new bill that aims at making the streets a little bit safer for everyone. Assembly Bill 1990 would give police officers greater power in making arrests to prevent shoplifting of property that exceeds $950.

This bill would authorize a peace officer to make a warrantless arrest for a misdemeanor shoplifting offense not committed in the officers presence, if the officer has probable cause to believe the crime occurred, per Digital Democracy CA Matters.

Concerns have been raised within the last few years due to a recent spike in crime and shoplifting that has occurred throughout the state of California, primarily after the tumultuous years of the BLM riots and early onset of COVID. Many locals have since been displeased with recent actions of the state government and have called on more diligent efforts to curb the recent crime wave, which has had a 6.1% increase in reported violent crimes and 6.2% increase in property crime from 2021 to 2024, Safe and Sound Security.

Shoplifting has been on the rise since a change in state law made it no longer a felony to steal merchandise worth less than $1,000. In cities such as El Cajon, rising homelessness and drug addiction have also contributed to an increase in theft, often with suspects picked up for misdemeanor shoplifting released shortly after their arrests.

Recent societal trends in the last several years have had unintended consequences, such as an increase in crime in some major cities, and other issues such as an unmitigated homeless epidemic have all contributed to the desperation that many residents share.

Currently, Assembly Bill 1990 has passed the full Assembly and is heading to a Senate committee for review. eastcountymagazine.org


Riots & Violence Hitting UK Retailers
UK: Store staff ‘fearing for their safety’ due to riots, says Retail Trust boss

The Retail Trust has seen a spike in calls from retail staff “fearing for their safety following looting and vandalism in shops across the country”, according to the charity’s chief executive Chris Brook-Carter.

Brook-Carter said the trust has set up a 24-hour helpline for retail staff in the wake of a week’s worth of far-right riots and violence that have spread across England and Northern Ireland, in the wake of the murder of three girls in Southport on July 29.

Since then, several high street retail stores have been targeted in the violence including a Shoe Zone, Greggs, Lush and Specsavers in Hull, and a Sainsbury’s Local store in Manchester over the weekend.

“The Retail Trust is seeing a rise in calls from retail staff fearing for their safety following looting and vandalism in shops across the country and we are working closely with affected retailers to ensure their colleagues are getting the support they need to deal with any difficult experiences,” Brook-Carter told Retail Week.

“We know there will be many more retail workers out there with worries and concerns so we’d encourage anyone to call the Retail Trust’s 24-hour helpline on 0808 801 0808 if they need in-the-moment wellbeing support or specialist help from our counselling team following incidents of in-store violence, criminal damage or theft.”

Lush said on Tuesday that its staff were “devasted” after the retailer’s store in Hull was attacked by looters.

“We are devastated at what has happened to our beautiful shop in Hull and how our fellow retailers have also been treated,” a spokesman said.  retail-week.com


Fighting Crime is a Priority for Both Political Parties
New Dems are laser-focused on fighting crime

The House of Representatives has a slate of 15 bills from the New Dems to fight crime & keep Americans safe

There’s one group in Congress fighting hard to fund law enforcement, prevent violent crimes, improve public safety and crack down on illicit drugs, but it might not be who you think it is – it’s the New Dems.

Who are the New Dems?

In the House of Representatives, there is a group of 100 center-left House Democrats dedicated to breaking through partisanship to solve America's most-pressing problems, including fighting crime and keeping our communities safe. We’re part of the New Democrat Coalition, or the New Dems.

How Congress is handling crime

Congress has failed to act, and we need solutions. That’s why New Dems are pushing for action on a slate of 15 bills that will strengthen law enforcement’s ability to both respond and address root causes of crimes, including mental health disorders, illicit firearms and drugs, and empower people to make their communities safer.

Addressing real issues Americans are facing
 
1. Law enforcement recruitment and retention 
2. Supporting law enforcement with community involvement  
3. Combatting auto thefts  
4. Commonsense gun reform   foxnews.com


Organized Retail Theft Bills in California
California lawmakers are back in Sacramento for final month of legislative session. Here's what we're watching
Democratic legislative leaders promised to pass a set of bills that attempt to crack down on organized retail theft before they broke for summer recess, but that didn't happen and those proposals now appear to be up in the air.

Newsom and lawmakers were trying to use those bills as bargaining chips to prevent an initiative from landing on the ballot that broadly increases penalties for drug and theft crimes. That initiative has qualified for the ballot and voters will see it as Proposition 36 in November. Some Democrats have warned the bills stacked with the initiative could result in too many people being put behind bars. kcra.com


Video: See this new AI technology that helps combat shoplifting

UK: Swale officers continue to target retail crime
 

 
Department Stores Being 'Outmaneuvered' & 'Left Behind'
Left Behind in the Retail Real-Estate Comeback: Department Stores

Rise of discounters and specialty stores are forcing more of these shopping-mall anchors to close

Department stores are bleeding customers, and landlords no longer view them as magnets for shoppers. Discounters are underpricing them. Specialty stores are outmaneuvering them. And luxury brands are sometimes bypassing department stores to open their own shops.

The surviving operators are making big moves in hopes of turning things around. Saks Fifth Avenue’s parent company is buying rival Neiman Marcus. Nordstrom executives are exploring taking the company private. Macy’s new chief executive is closing stores while trying to improve the shopping experience at its leaner fleet.

But department stores’ long-term decline will be difficult to reverse. Their sales peaked just before the turn of the century and have been on a downward trajectory ever since, according to U.S. census data.

Department-store sales bounced back somewhat in 2021 and 2022 after plunging at the start of the pandemic, but never recovered to 2019 levels. The sector’s sales fell last year and were basically flat in the first five months of 2024.

Major department stores now occupy less than half of all anchor spaces at enclosed shopping malls, real-estate firm Green Street said. There are roughly 500 vacant department-store spaces nationwide, with more closures on the way as Macy’s shutters 150 underperforming stores over the next three years.

Department stores’ decline is a primary reason why regional malls—originally designed to lure department stores out of America’s urban downtowns—continue to struggle even as other types of retail real estate are reporting record-low vacancy rates. wsj.com


Will Grocery Retailers Be the Next Target of the FTC?
FTC chair presses for investigation into high grocery prices

Lina Khan said an inquiry would “shed light” on why food prices and grocers’ profits have stayed elevated even as inflation has come down.

The Federal Trade Commission’s Chair Lina Khan has requested permission to launch an inquiry into grocery prices, which have remained consistently high since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Khan spoke Thursday at the first public meeting of the Strike Force on Unfair and Illegal Pricing, which the FTC cohosted with the Department of Justice. President Joe Biden announced the launch of the Strike Force back in March to “strengthen interagency efforts to root out and stop illegal corporate behavior” impacting consumers in the U.S.

Khan’s inquiry request would “shed light” on why grocery prices and grocers’ profits remain so high when costs have appeared to come down, she said. The FTC would be investigating to ensure “major businesses are not exploiting their power” to keep prices elevated, “expose and crack down on any underhanded tactics” potentially carried out by large companies and “stop any corporate law-breaking that inflates costs for American families,” Khan said.

“Many large grocery chains are still raking in enormous profits. The FTC is determined to understand why,” Khan said. retaildive.com


Malls Seeing Gains in Occupancy, Traffic & Sales
Simon malls notch Q2 gains in occupancy, traffic and retail sales

But net operating income at the REIT’s retailer portfolio, which includes J.C. Penney, Gilt Groupe and the entity that runs Forever 21, declined again.

Simon Property Group on Monday reported increases in leasing volumes, occupancy, shopper traffic and retail sales volumes, resulting in the highest level of Q2 real estate net operating income in its history.

The mall REIT in the period signed more than 1,400 leases, and 30% of its leasing activity was new deal volume, CFO Brian McDade told analysts. Traffic rose 5%, and total sales volumes rose about 2%.

Net operating income at its properties in North America rose 5.2% year over year to $1.3 billion, according to a Q2 earnings supplement.

“Continued leasing momentum, resilient consumer spending, and operational excellence delivered results exceeding our plan for the quarter,” McDade said. retaildive.com


Mercari opens first physical store in Los Angeles

Walmart among most effective TV advertisers