Retailers Brace For Increased Shoplifting This Holiday Season

With the busiest retail shopping day of the year just less than a week away, retailers and shoppers are hoping for an enjoyable holiday season. But the nation’s weakened economy has many law enforcement officials forecasting increased shoplifting and theft -- crimes that could lead to lower profits for retailers and higher prices and limited selection for consumers.

Adding to the problem are fewer security and sales associates on the lookout for suspicious shoppers. Because of this, retailers are expected to rely heavily on sophisticated anti-theft technology, such as tags and smart cameras, to help catch and deter shoplifters.

According to a recent National Retail Security Survey conducted by the University of Florida, with a funding grant from ADT Security Services, retailers lost almost $12 billion to the 27 million shoplifters who stole merchandise from them in 2007. This loss was down from 2006 as retailers strengthened their use of anti-shoplifting technology and training, but the anticipated swell of shoplifting this holiday season will require an even greater use of electronic loss prevention tools.

“Many retailers are bracing for more shoplifting this season and will be counting on technology to help control theft, particularly as many stores have had to cut back on staff due to the slowing economy,” said Ed Wolfe, a veteran loss prevention executive formerly with Neiman Marcus and The Home Depot.

There will be a new and different type of shoplifter this holiday season, predicts Richard Mangan, a criminology professor at Florida Atlantic University and former DEA special agent.

“Clearly, shoplifting is going to be a bigger problem than in years past. Times of financial stress could drive individuals who normally would not consider shoplifting, to reconsider attempting this crime,” Mangan said.

Helping catch the crooks will be advances in anti-theft technology. Anti-theft solutions include tags which are placed inside clothing, makeup and even food packaging, along with intelligent cameras that can be programmed to recognize missing items, movement in a restricted area and other events. Digital recording is another effective tool giving retailers more flexibility in monitoring live and recorded video events from remote monitoring sites.

Lee Pernice, an ADT retail expert, said shoplifting affects every consumer.

“Shoplifting results in higher prices for everyone and can impact the amount and variety of goods retailers have available,” she said.

Shoplifting can also be a concern to parents. The National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP) is a non-profit organization which specializes in working with parents to help discuss the impact of shoplifting with their children.

“Consumers play a major role in shoplifting awareness and prevention and this includes talking to their children about how shoplifting negatively affects not only stores, but family and friends as well,” said Caroline Kochman, NASP’s executive director.

Featured

  • Security Today Announces The Govies Government Security Award Winners for 2025

    Security Today is pleased to announce the 2025 winners in The Govies Government Security Awards. The awards honor outstanding government security products in a variety of categories. Read Now

  • Survey: 60 Percent of Organizations Using AI in IT Infrastructure

    Netwrix, a cybersecurity provider focused on data and identity threats, today announced the release of its annual global 2025 Cybersecurity Trends Report based on a global survey of 2,150 IT and security professionals from 121 countries. It reveals that 60% of organizations are already using artificial intelligence (AI) in their IT infrastructure and 30% are considering implementing AI. Read Now

  • New Research Reveals Global Video Surveillance Industry Perspectives on AI

    Axis Communications, the global industry leader in video surveillance, has released its latest research report, ‘The State of AI in Video Surveillance,’ which explores global industry perspectives on the use of AI in the security industry and beyond. The report reveals current attitudes on AI technologies thanks to in-depth interviews with AI experts from Axis’ global network and a comprehensive survey of more than 5,800 respondents, including distributors, channel partners, and end customers across 68 countries. The resulting insights cover AI integration and the opportunities and challenges that exist with regard to security, safety, business intelligence, and operational efficiency. Read Now

  • SIA Urges Tariff Relief for Security Industry Products

    Today, the Security Industry Association has sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick requesting relief from tariffs for security industry products and asking that the Trump administration formulate a process that allows companies to apply for product-specific exemptions. The security industry is an important segment of the U.S. economy, contributing over $430 billion in total economic impact and supporting over 2.1 million jobs. Read Now

  • Report Shows Cybercriminals Continue Pivot to Stealthier Tactics

    IBM recently released the 2025 X-Force Threat Intelligence Index highlighting that cybercriminals continued to pivot to stealthier tactics, with lower-profile credential theft spiking, while ransomware attacks on enterprises declined. IBM X-Force observed an 84% increase in emails delivering infostealers in 2024 compared to the prior year, a method threat actors relied heavily on to scale identity attacks. Read Now

New Products

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Hanwha QNO-7012R

    Hanwha QNO-7012R

    The Q Series cameras are equipped with an Open Platform chipset for easy and seamless integration with third-party systems and solutions, and analog video output (CVBS) support for easy camera positioning during installation. A suite of on-board intelligent video analytics covers tampering, directional/virtual line detection, defocus detection, enter/exit, and motion detection.