Shoplifting declines, but retail fraud and organized theft remain growing concerns, report finds
Shoplifting incidents and retail merchandise theft declined in 2025, but retailers are facing increasing threats from fraud, organized retail crime and other external theft schemes, according to a new report released by the National Retail Federation and the Loss Prevention Research Council.
The Impact of Theft & Violence 2026 report found shoplifting incidents decreased 12.4% and retail merchandise theft declined 8.1% in 2025 compared with 2024. At the same time, retailers reported increases in fraud and other external theft methods, including cargo theft, phone scams and gift card fraud.
“After years of rising in-store theft, retailers are beginning to see levels stabilize, driven by investments in technology and employee training to strengthen store security and improve response to these crimes,” said NRF Vice President for Asset Protection and Retail Operations David Johnston. “However, significant challenges remain as organized criminals continue to exploit vulnerabilities throughout the retail environment as seen in the rise of various fraud schemes and thefts including cargo theft, phone scams and gift card fraud.”
According to the report, retailers attributed the decline in shoplifting to expanded security measures, including enhanced surveillance systems, employee training and improved analysis of theft patterns.
Despite the decline in traditional shoplifting, retailers reported increases in repeat offenders (50%), organized retail crime-related incidents (40%) and walkout or pushout thefts (37%). Fraud also increased, with phone scams rising 69%, loyalty fraud increasing 51% and gift card theft or fraud climbing 42%.
“Trusted research is essential to understanding these threats and how they continue to evolve,” said University of Florida Research Scientist and Loss Prevention Research Council Executive Director Read Hayes, Ph.D. “As these risks shift and shoplifting rates stabilize, the retail industry must confront the growing challenges of fraud and external theft.”
The report also found workplace violence remains a concern for retailers, who continue to report increases in homelessness-related disruptions and incidents involving customers. In response, many retailers said they have increased investments in management training, employee training and risk-intelligence technology to improve safety.
“Retailers are leveraging data and connected technologies to combat retail crime,” said Sensormatic Solutions President Tony D’Onofrio. “This year’s report underscores that no single company can address this challenge alone. Meaningful progress requires strong collaboration among retailers, communities and law enforcement agencies to enhance asset protection and keep employees and customers safe.”
The report found that 63% of retailers said they report fewer than half of store-related theft incidents to law enforcement. Retailers cited low-dollar losses that do not meet felony thresholds and concerns about law enforcement response as the primary reasons for not reporting more incidents.
The National Retail Federation is urging the U.S. Senate to pass the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, legislation the organization says would strengthen coordination among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to investigate organized retail crime.
The survey was conducted online from February through April 2026 among senior loss prevention and security executives representing 66 retail companies, 143 retail brands and approximately $1.7 trillion in annual retail sales.
