New Study Shows Shoplifting Is Up 93% Since Before the COVID-19 Pandemic

UF startup Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) conducted a study to examine how theft and violence have evolved since before COVID-19 and how retailers are addressing the current retail crime landscape. According to the study, retailers reported a 93% increase in the average number of shoplifting incidents per year in 2023 compared to 2019, along with a 90% increase in dollars lost due to shoplifting over the same period.

“Retail crime is a complex and sophisticated challenge, with trends that continue to evolve,” said Dr. Read Hayes, University of Florida Research Scientist and Executive Director of the Loss Prevention Research Council. “The retail industry is working in lockstep with the research community and solution providers to develop, test, and improve the next generation of asset protection tools and strategies in the ongoing battle against organized retail crime (ORC).”

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