More than two-thirds of Americans say organized retail crime is a “serious problem.”
WHY IT MATTERS – The increase in retail theft may be contributing to the sense among voters that things are “out of control.”
THE QUESTION – In a poll of U.S. adults, YouGov America asked: “How serious a problem do you think organized retail crime – in which criminal groups steal large amounts of merchandise to sell for a profit – is in the United States today?”
- 38 percent said “a very serious problem”
- 33 percent said “a somewhat serious problem”
- 13 percent said “a minor problem”
- 4 percent said “not a problem”
- 12 percent said “not sure”
BOTTOM LINE – Small dollar theft can add up to large dollar losses at scale. Major retailers have warned of an “epidemic” of theft in their stores that could lead to closures.
- The 2022 National Retail Security Survey recorded a 26.5 percent increase in retail crime incidents in 2021.
- The National Retail Federation found that total losses from theft and inventory loss increased to $94.5 billion that same year.
GO DEEPER – Toplines and background
- YouGov America – Poll Results
- Fox Business – Former Home Depot CEO Warns Organized Retail Theft an ‘Epidemic’ that’s ‘Spreading Faster than COVID’