Shoplifting sounds like a small-time crime, but the numbers say otherwise. Every beep piles up and leads to retailers losing billions yearly. Big chains, pop stores, and even self-checkout lanes all feel the sting. Even if you think you know how bad it is, these 25 shocking stats might change your perspective.
Retailers Lose Billions Yearly
Retail theft is a $112.1 billion crisis! In 2023, U.S. retailers saw a 19.4% jump in losses from the previous year, which means shoplifting and fraud are bigger concerns than ever. Some stores even have to lock up everyday items like toothpaste and deodorant.
The $150 Billion Problem
Retail theft is growing so fast that experts predict losses could top $150 billion by 2026. That’s more than the entire GDP of Ukraine—all disappearing from store shelves. As retailers try to offset the damage, customers are left dealing with rising prices, shorter store hours, and extra security cameras watching every move.
Shoplifters Are the Biggest Culprits
Many people assume most retail losses come from employee theft or accounting errors, but shoplifting alone accounts for 37% of all retail shrink. That means for every dollar retailers lose, over a third of it is walking out the door in someone’s pocket, purse, or jacket.
A Crime of the Young
It’s no secret that kids and teens aren’t always great at decision-making, but one in four juveniles, around ages 12-16, admits to shoplifting at least once. Some do it for the thrill, others for necessity, and some just because they think they won’t get caught. The kicker is that many of these young shoplifters never stop.
Shoplifting on the Rise
Retailers reported a 93% increase in shoplifting cases in 2023 compared to 2019. Theft is rising everywhere, hitting mom-and-pop stores as hard as major retailers. Most people blame economic struggles, the rise of self-checkouts, and lax penalties.
Rise in Self-Checkout Thefts
Self-checkout lanes were meant to make shopping faster and easier, but they’ve also become a shoplifter’s dream. Theft doubles in self-checkout stores because people “forget” to scan items, swap barcodes, or walk out pretending to pay. Some stores are fighting back by limiting self-checkout use or using AI that flags suspicious behavior.
Employee Theft on Retail Shrink
Employees account for around 30% of retail shrink, sometimes stealing more than shoplifters. It’s not always as dramatic as cash register skimming—some workers sneak items out in trash bags, create fake returns, or even work with shoplifters to split the profits. Since employees know how stores operate, they’re often more challenging to catch.
Organized Retail Crime on the Rise
Forget lone shoplifters—organized retail crime (ORC) has exploded, with 58% of cases involving cargo theft. ORC rings steal in bulk and often target high-value goods like electronics, designer clothes, and laundry detergent. They move fast, sometimes hitting multiple stores overnight, and then flip the stolen goods online.
Pricey Shoplifting Incidents
The average shoplifting incident costs retailers $461.86, meaning people aren’t just stealing gum and cheap sunglasses. High-end beauty products, small electronics, and alcohol are the most common stolen goods. Some chains have started limiting stock on shelves and keeping expensive items behind counters.
The 2% Capture Rate
Stores only catch 2% of shoplifters; even when they do, most are arrested once every 100 incidents! Police departments are also stretched thin, and some cities have decriminalized petty theft, which makes enforcement even harder.
California’s Theft Epidemic
Theft and fraud cost California $1.3 billion in missed tax income. Large companies like Target and Walgreens have shut down their locations in high-crime areas. Videos of shoplifters idly cleaning shelves in broad daylight while staff members watch have also gone viral.
Washington’s Staggering Losses
Washington experienced over $2.7 billion in retail theft in 2021. Shops in Tacoma, Spokane, and Seattle reported increased instances of theft. As a result, major shops were forced to shut down, cut back on hours, or lock up necessities like infant formula and deodorant. Several companies are using private security to stay open.
Florida’s Retail Crisis
Retail theft in Florida reached $5.42 billion in 2022. With an average loss of $302.05 per resident, Floridian stores are tightening security, but shoplifters are getting bolder. High-theft areas like Miami and Orlando have seen a surge in flash mob-style thefts, where groups of thieves storm stores and grab everything they can carry.
Michigan’s Multi-Billion Losses
Michigan’s retailers lost $2.3 billion in theft-related losses in 2022, and no, it’s not just a big-city problem. Detroit and Grand Rapids see the most cases, but small towns aren’t immune. Organized retail crime rings are hitting big-box stores, stealing electronics, baby formula, and even meat to resell on the black market.
Dangers in Job Security
Retail theft is costing people their jobs. Companies cut employee hours, close locations, or even lay off staff entirely to balance their losses. Some major chains have shut down in high-theft cities. Others have replaced cashiers with self-checkouts, hoping technology will reduce theft.