Millions spent on security, cameras, guards, and anti-theft policies!
Yet retail theft still sticks around.
To understand why, we have to look beyond just security measures and into the deeper forces at play.
Retail theft never entirely disappears because it’s driven by a complex mix of human behavior, economic pressures, opportunity, and evolving criminal tactics. And as long as these factors exist, theft adapts, not vanishes.
How bad is retail theft in the U.S.?
Retail theft or shoplifting in the U.S. has become a serious problem, with losses expected to exceed $115 billion by 2025!
In 2024 alone, retailers lost $45 billion!
A big part of this comes from Organized Retail Crime (ORC), which costs $30 billion each year and affects over 91% of retailers.
But theft isn’t just from outside—Employee theft makes up 75% of retail losses in some industries.
On average, each shoplifting incident costs $377, and only about 25% of stolen goods are recovered.
These numbers make us probe into why retail theft never disappears; let’s find out:
Reasons why retail theft never disappears:
- Economic pressure.
- Evolving criminal tactics.
- Organized retail crime.
- Social media challenges.
- Store vulnerabilities.
- Technology gaps.
- Psychological and social factors.
- Desperation vs. opportunity theft.
Economic pressures:
Major U.S. brands like McDonald’s, Harley-Davidson, and Estée Lauder are reporting weaker-than-expected sales, pointing to a clear trend: Americans are spending less, especially on non-essentials like dining out, cosmetics, and luxury items. Fast-food giants like Domino’s, Chipotle, and Starbucks are also seeing the pinch.
Rising economic pressure—driven by inflation, tariff uncertainty, and a cooling job market—is causing the rise in retail theft. Particularly in essential goods aisles, as financial stress pushes some toward need-based theft.
Evolving criminal tactics:
Retail criminals aren’t standing still—they’re getting smarter, faster, and more coordinated. Today’s theft isn’t just one person slipping something into a bag. It includes a wide range of evolving methods that make it harder to detect and stop:
- Flash mob theft: Large groups rush into stores, overwhelm staff, and clear out merchandise in minutes—often with violence or threats.
- Smash-and-Grab raids: Criminals break through entrances or display cases in a coordinated attack, grab what they can, and flee fast.
- Group stealing: Teams work together—some distract employees while others steal.
- Self-checkout scams. Tricks like the “banana trick” (scanning a cheaper item instead of the real one), or simply skipping items altogether.
- Pass-around tag swaps: Shoplifters move tags from cheap items to expensive ones to pay less.
- Fraudulent returns: Thieves return stolen goods for cash, gift cards, or store credit.
- In-store sapping: People slowly and repeatedly take small amounts, blending in as regular shoppers.
These tactics evolve quickly and often exploit blind spots in store layouts, outdated tech, or untrained staff. Organized groups even scout stores ahead of time to identify weaknesses.
Organized retail crime (ORC) networks:
This is organized, planned, and often done by crime rings. These groups take advantage of short-staffed stores, weak security, and busy shopping seasons. According to a 2024 report, organized retail crime jumped by 57% last year.
Stores are stuck. If they tighten security too much, they risk scaring off regular customers. If they don’t, the losses keep growing.
In the 2023 survey, 88% of respondents reported that shoplifters have become more aggressive and violent, and 67% of respondents said that ORC has become more violent and aggressive. Michael Butensky, Managing Director at Accenture Retail Strategy says:
“Retailers are facing increased financial losses and employees and shoppers alike face the threat of violence, serious injury, or even death during a theft incident.”
shrinkage. Protect profits.
it escalates.
Social media challenges (e.g., “theft TikTok”):
Thrill-seeking youngsters on platforms like TikTok conduct theft-related “challenges” or “hauls” that go viral within minutes of upload.
What used to happen quietly in the shadows is now being filmed, hashtagged, and shared. On TikTok, some users show off stolen goods like trophies. Others post so-called “shoplifting challenges”, treating theft like a game. Some even call it “borrowing”—as if rebranding the act makes it less serious.
All this has made it easier to normalize, glamorize, and copy. In a time when economic stress is already fueling more theft, platforms like this may be throwing gasoline on the fire.
Store vulnerabilities:
The way a store is laid out can make or break its defences against theft. Wide aisles with poor visibility, blind corners, and low staffing in certain sections create perfect conditions for shoplifting. When shelves are too tall or merchandise is packed into quiet corners, it gives shoplifters time and cover to act.
Even fitting rooms can become hotspots—especially when they’re far from staff supervision or lack item-check procedures. Self-checkout stations, while convenient, are also risky. With no one watching, some customers skip scanning items or fake barcode scans.
Technology gaps:
When security is weak, theft doesn’t just happen, it escalates. The opportunity and ease of theft create an environment where impulsive decisions turn into criminal actions. Such as
- Unmonitored aisles.
- Distracted or untrained staff.
- Blind spots in camera coverage.
- Broken sensors at exits.
- Outdated or non-functional security technology.
- Disconnected systems (no integration between surveillance and alerts).
- No real-time monitoring or response.
- Footage not being reviewed.
- Illusion of security without actual prevention.
- Easy opportunities that encourage impulsive theft.
Organized theft groups know how to find these weak points. They test responses, time their actions, and hit fast. Even lone shoplifters look for easy targets: poorly lit corners, empty aisles, or self-checkouts with no oversight.
Psychological and social factors:
Not every theft is about money or greed. Sometimes, it runs deeper.
- Impulse issues. Some people don’t plan to steal—it just happens. In the moment, they lose control and act before thinking.
- Emotional pain. Past trauma, depression, or anxiety can push people to steal as a way to cope. It’s not about the item—it’s about filling a gap they don’t know how to fix.
- Kleptomania. This is a real mental health condition. People with kleptomania feel a powerful, uncontrollable urge to steal. They usually don’t even need what they take—and often feel deep guilt right after.
Desperation vs. opportunity theft:
Right now, stores are being hit from two sides: desperation and opportunity.
Desperation theft happens when people are struggling to afford basic things like food, baby formula, or hygiene products. A recent survey showed that 1 in 5 Americans admitted to stealing recently. Many said it was because they simply couldn’t afford what they needed.
Opportunity theft is a different story. It is also known as the “10-10-80 Rule” in retail loss prevention or shrinkage management. It describes the behavioral breakdown of people in terms of their propensity to commit theft in a retail environment:
- 10% will always steal:
These individuals have a strong inclination or even a compulsion to steal, regardless of the controls or environment. They may be habitual shoplifters or have criminal intent.
- 10% will never steal:
This group upholds strong ethical standards or fears the consequences of getting caught so much that they avoid engaging in theft under any circumstances.
- 80% are opportunistic:
Most shoplifters don’t walk into a store planning to steal. They do it because the moment feels “safe”.
These opportunistic offenders act when three key things line up:
- The opportunity presents itself:
Poor surveillance, no staff nearby, or a busy store floor can create the perfect moment. - The risk feels low:
If they think no one’s watching—or that the consequences will be minor—they’re more likely to take the risk. - They feel justified:
High prices, bad service, or a sense that “the store won’t miss it” can fuel a false sense of entitlement.
How advanced security solutions can stop retail theft:
Facial recognition:
This technology scans faces in real time and can match them against a database of known shoplifters. When a flagged individual enters the store, security or staff can be alerted immediately. It quietly monitors for threats without disrupting the shopping experience.
Object recognition:
This tech tracks specific items on shelves and how they’re handled. If a customer picks up a product and conceals it, the system can detect that unusual interaction and trigger an alert. It’s like giving your shelves eyes—ensuring merchandise is always being watched.
Heat mapping:
While often used for marketing and layout optimization, heat mapping also helps security by revealing traffic flow. Unusual patterns—like customers repeatedly returning to low-traffic or poorly lit areas—can indicate potential theft zones, prompting better camera placement or more staff coverage.
AI-powered Remote Video Monitoring:
AI powered Shoplifting Detection AI can instantly detect suspicious shoplifting behaviors. For example :
- Items concealed in backpack or handbag.
- Product hidden inside coat or jacket.
- Items stuffed into pockets or waistband.
- Concealment in trousers, skirt, or dress.
- Object placed under or inside stroller.
- Eating or drinking products in-store.
- Frequent glancing around.
- Nervous or erratic hand movements.
- Unusual linger time near shelves.
- Repeated handling of merchandise.
- Covering items with clothing or bags
- Attempting to block camera view.
- Distracting staff while hiding items.
These early warnings help security teams intervene before a theft occurs. AI-powered remote video monitoring transforms retail security by eliminating blind spots. As soon as the alarm is triggered, it enables immediate response through audio warnings or alerts to on-site staff, stopping theft before it happens.
Over time, AI also learns patterns—identifying peak theft hours and vulnerable store areas—so businesses can proactively fix weak spots before they’re hit again.
Conclusion:
Retail theft isn’t going away—but that doesn’t mean retailers are powerless. Remote video monitoring, powered by AI, offers a smarter, more proactive defense.
By detecting suspicious behavior in real-time, covering every corner without fatigue, and helping teams respond instantly, it turns surveillance into prevention.
In a world where theft constantly adapts, so must security—and remote monitoring is a crucial step forward. Contact us today for a customized security solution for your business.
