NRF Calls for Federal Action to 'Growing National Threat' of ORC
Fighting the rising national threat of retail crime

Organized retail theft disrupts stores and supply chains and fuels broader criminal activities

Organized retail crime is more than a headline — it’s a growing national threat impacting retailers, workers, consumers and communities nationwide. Retailers face increasingly aggressive and often violent theft orchestrated by coordinated criminal networks, not isolated individuals. These groups often operate across state lines and international borders and are frequently tied to broader criminal activity, including drug trafficking and money laundering.

But it’s not just about what happens inside stores. Organized retail crime spreads across the economy — disrupting the supply chain and online marketplaces, and through various financial frauds and schemes impacting consumers.

ORC’s impact on communities

The concern around ORC is echoed by a growing chorus of law enforcement officials across the country. In a February 2025 letter to congressional leadership, 38 state attorneys general urged swift federal action to address what they described as a national “epidemic.”

The letter emphasizes the impact that many retailers —from household names to Main Street businesses— continue to face sustained losses, rising violence against employees and substantial cost increases to protect products from theft. Consumers see the impact through increased security measures, the removal of products from sales floors or product unavailability due to high frequencies of theft.

Federal legislative action is needed

The attorneys general called for stronger federal coordination, enhanced penalties for supply chain theft, and more resources to support investigations and prosecutions at the state and local level: “Our resources are finite. A new federal coordination center would act as a force multiplier for our offices and help us dismantle these complex, cross-border criminal networks.”

That’s exactly what the newly reintroduced Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 (S.1404/H.R.2853) aims to do. nrf.com


Criminals From 32 Countries Fueling Record Cargo Theft 
Crime rings attacking US supply chain at record rates using this sneaky tactic
Organized crime rings have been attacking cargo trucks, train cars and warehouses across the United States at record rates using a sneaky new strategy, according to a report.

Behind this phenomenon are criminals who hack into supply chain technology and impersonate legitimate shipping companies, falsely promising to deliver cargo to buyers but instead stealing it for their own use, according to a six-month CNBC investigation.

There’s been a record surge of cargo theft, with 3,798 incidents in 2024 – a 26% increase from the year before, according to Verisk CargoNet. Total reported losses across the US supply chain last year reached nearly $455 million, according to Verisk CargoNet.

But several industry experts told CNBC that number is likely closer to $1 billion or more each year, since many incidents of theft are left unreported.

“Every day, we’re seeing the bad guys trying to infiltrate our network. And our sales reps have to constantly stay vigilant,” Jerry Jacobs, who oversees risk management at Prosponsive Logistics in Atlanta, told CNBC.

Last December, The Post exclusively reported on an incident of this strategic theft that cost a toymaker more than $1 million worth of holiday merchandise.

And these identity thefts are only on the rise, accounting for 8% of all cargo theft in 2020 – and jumping to nearly one-third by the end of 2024, according to Verisk CargoNet. Criminal groups from at least 32 countries have been linked to these scams, according to Verisk CargoNet. nypost.com

   RELATED: Criminals Exploit Online Platforms to Facilitate Cargo Theft


The Great Debate Over What's Fueling the Retail Theft Surge
Retail theft is on the rise. How come we never talk about the real reasons why? | Opinion

Why not address the underlying causes of retail theft? Just look at Wisconsin's meager minimum wage.

Retail giants such as CVS, Walgreens, Target and Walmart are intensifying security measures to combat the rising tide of theft. While these protective steps aim to deter criminals, they simultaneously create frustrations among honest shoppers. And, worse yet, we never seem to get at the root of the problem that's driving theft.

Today, egg prices are higher, not lower. The cost of everything is expected to keep climbing with economists revising forecasts for the inflation rate and many now predicting it could reach the 4% mark. This anticipated increase has been attributed to several factors, notably the expected impact of Trump's tariffs, which will likely raise American consumers' prices for imported goods.

Higher prices are directly linked to an increase in retail crime, which is becoming an increasingly serious problem for American businesses. In 2022, losses from retail theft amounted to $112 billion, and this alarming trend is projected to exceed $150 billion by 2026.

The situation is expected to worsen for retailers as states face significant cuts in federal funding for essential programs such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Desperate times arise as people's budgets tighten, creating a perfect storm for increased retail crime. jsonline.com


Have Retailers Figured Out the Key to Self-Checkout Success?
Target, grocery chains find self-checkout, retail theft answers

When self-checkout is a choice, some people just can't seem to help themselves when it comes to stealing.

While you can debate the overall impart of retail theft on America's retailers it's clear that small-time shoplifting has been on the rise. That's clearly related to the growth of self-checkout. Not having a person handle their items seem to encourage consumers to miss scanning an item. In some cases, of course, that's an honest mistake or a machine error, but the theft numbers jump up when people use self-checkout.

"While 95.9% of consumers have used self-checkout machines, statistics show theft increases by up to 65% at self-checkout compared to a traditional checker," according to a Capital One study. "Over 20 million Americans have stolen from a self-checkout kiosk. 15% of consumers admit to using self-checkout to steal; 44% of them plan to re-offend."

Target, however, as well as some regional grocery chains, believe they have figured out how to use self-checkout to both maximize efficiency and minimize theft. Target, along with multiple regional grocery chains, made a decision to test limiting the amount of items in self-checkout. That's something the retailer explained in a blog post.

The retail giant has not publicly commented on whether this change has cut theft, but it seems quite happy with its choice. ShopRite, Schnucks, and Giant Foods have also added limits (20 items) to their self-checkout lanes. thestreet.com


How U.S. Supply Chains Are Under Attack By Cargo Theft Criminals | Full Documentary

UK food shops report ‘massive’ rise in pensioner shoplifting

Grocery shop owners fed up with shoplifters, say cops 'ignore' petty theft

Crime is down everywhere in S.F. — except in these two neighborhoods
 

Target Declares Victory on Self-Checkout
One year later, Target calls express self-checkout a success

The retailer’s self-checkout limits led to shorter transaction times and more customers choosing staffed registers.

Target says its express self-checkout lanes, which limit customers to 10 or fewer items, have increased satisfaction and sped up the checkout experience. Since rolling out in March 2024, the express self-checkout lanes reduced average transaction times across self-checkout and staffed lanes by nearly 8%, the company said in a blog post Monday.

The retailer’s net promoter score for wait times across checkout is up 5 points, while the NPS for interactions rose 3 points since Target implemented the change.

More customers are choosing Target’s fully staffed registers, according to the company. Target has invested in staff training alongside the express lanes to improve the overall checkout experience.

Target’s self-checkout limits, along with other improvements to the retailer’s checkout experience, have “been a great success,” the company wrote in its blog post.

Target changed its approach to staffed checkout queues as well. Store managers gained greater control over the ratio of cashiers to self-checkout lanes throughout the day, with the goal of increasing self-checkout availability during the busiest periods. retaildive.com


Sigh of Relief for Retailers?
US, China agree to reduce tariff rates for 90 days

By Wednesday, the two countries will charge 10% baseline duties and remove certain retaliatory levies that pushed rates over 100%.

The United States and China reached an agreement over the weekend to decrease escalating tariff rates the two countries had placed upon each other in recent months, according to a White House briefing released Monday.

As part of the agreement, the U.S. will pause for 90 days the 34% tariff on imports from China that President Donald Trump first announced April 2. The U.S. will also lift additional duties it subsequently levied that raised the combined tariff burden on goods from China to at least 145%.

During the pause, the U.S. will instead charge a 10% tariff on imports from China while maintaining duties it installed prior to April 2, including those enacted under Section 301, Section 232 and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.

In return, China will also pause a matching 34% tariff on U.S. goods for 90 days in favor of a 10% duty while rescinding all other levies it has enacted on the U.S. since April 2.

Both countries will implement the pause and other agreed-upon actions by Wednesday. retaildive.com


Positive Response from the NRF
NRF Statement on U.S.-China Tariffs Agreement
The following statement may be attributed to National Retail Federation President and CEO Matthew Shay regarding the Trump administration’s announcement that it will reduce tariffs on imports from China for 90 days to continue trade negotiations.

“We applaud the U.S. and China for agreeing to a 90-day pause on the 125% reciprocal and retaliatory tariffs. We are encouraged by these constructive negotiations, which provide for a significant de-escalation in the current trade relationship.

“This temporary pause is a critical first step to provide some short-term relief for retailers and other businesses that are in the midst of ordering merchandise for the winter holiday season. And over the long term, this lays the foundation for substantial progress in achieving truly fair and balanced trade relationships with both China and our other trade partners around the world.

“We urge the administration and our Chinese trade partners to continue discussions to address the ongoing issues, work to remove the remaining national security tariffs, and provide long-term stability between the two largest global economies.”   nrf.com


The International Supply Chain Protection Organization Welcomes DensityUSA as Preferred Partner

ISCPO Welcomes DensityUSA as Preferred Partner to Enhance Supply Chain Security

The International Supply Chain Protection Organization (ISCPO) is proud to announce DensityUSA as its newest preferred partner.

DensityUSA provides advanced security fogging systems for both transported and warehoused assets. Density’s dry, dense fog repels would be thieves in just seconds leaving no residue from our food-grade solution. With truck/trailer installed foggers or fixed location fogging units, DensityUSA brings the widest array of fogging solutions to bear against criminals.

This collaboration strengthens ISCPO’s ability to offer innovative solutions and insights to its diverse membership base, highlighting innovative companies like DensityUSA’s Security Fogging Systems aligns seamlessly with ISCPO’s mission to unite security-focused professionals for collaboration and information sharing. iscpo.org

 
Mattel names CFO amid tariff pressure

NRF Calls House Tax Proposal a Major Win for Retailers and the American Economy

REI Union’s successful ‘Vote No’ campaign leaves 3 board seats empty


Last week's #1 article --

Yet Another Retail Cyberattack
Harrods latest retailer to face cyber attack

The luxury department store confirmed it has ‘restricted internet access’ in an attempt to fend off the attack

Harrods has become the latest retailer to be targeted by cyber attacks, only days after Marks and Spencer and the Co-op were similarly targeted. The luxury department store confirmed it has “restricted internet access” in an attempt to fend off the attack, and according to Sky News, is engaging specialists to help resolve and investigate the issue.

While further details of the cyber attack were unclear as of yesterday (1 May), one customer told Sky he had been unable to pay for a purchase earlier in the day. Customers can continue to shop online, however, while stores remain open.

A Harrods spokesperson told Retail Sector: “We recently experienced attempts to gain unauthorised access to some of our systems.

“Our seasoned IT security team immediately took proactive steps to keep systems safe, and as a result, we have restricted internet access at our sites today.” retailsector.co.uk