Survey: More Shoplifters, Dishonest Employees Are Stealing from U.S. Retailers

  • Jun 18, 2013

Just 23 major retailers apprehended more than 1.1 million shoplifters and dishonest employees and recovered more than $189 million from these thieves in 2012, according to the 25th Annual Retail Theft Survey conducted by Jack L. Hayes International, a loss prevention and inventory shrinkage control consulting firm.

“In 2012, shoplifting apprehensions increased 7.4 percent and the recovery dollars from shoplifters increased a amazing 22.7 percent". Dishonest employee apprehensions and recovery dollars also increased in 2012, 5.5 percent and 7.0 percent respectively", said Mark R. Doyle, President of Jack L. Hayes International. "It should be noted that these increases follow similar increases reported the previous year The seriousness of retail theft is a much greater problem than many people realize. These theft losses are stealing profits from retailers and driving retail prices higher for the consumer."

Highlights from thisannual theft survey include:

Participants: 23 large retail companies with 18,900 stores and more than $596 billion in retail sales (2012).

Apprehensions: 1,145,688 shoplifters and dishonest employees were apprehended in 2012, up 7.3 percent from 2011.

  • Recovery Dollars: More than $189 million was recovered from apprehended shoplifters and dishonest employees in 2012, up 18.1 percent from 2011.
  • Shoplifter Apprehensions: 1,074,593 shoplifters were apprehended in 2012, up 7.4 percent from 2011.
  • Shoplifter Recovery Dollars: Over $138 million was recovered from apprehended shoplifters in 2012, an increase of 22.7 percent from 2011. An additional $46.8 million was recovered from shoplifters where no apprehension was made, up a significant 25.2 percent from 2011.
  • Employee Apprehensions: 71,095 dishonest employees were apprehended in 2012, up 5.5 percent from 2011.
  • Employee Recovery Dollars: More than $50 million was recovered from employee apprehensions in 2012, up 7.0 percent from 2011.
  • One out of every 40 employees was apprehended for theft from their employer in 2012. (Based on over 2.8 million employees.)
  • On a per case average, dishonest employees steal approximately 5.5 times the amount stolen by shoplifters ($715.24 vs $129.12.)

For full survey results visit our website at: http://www.hayesinternational.com.

Featured

  • Personal Liability Concerns Impact 70% of Cybersecurity Leaders

    BlackFog, provider of ransomware prevention and anti data exfiltration (ADX), recently unveiled its research conducted with UK and US IT Security decision makers. The research revealed that the majority of respondents, 70%, felt that stories of CISOs being held personally liable for cybersecurity incidents has negatively affected their opinion of the role. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Announces the 2025 Security Megatrends

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified and forecasted the 2025 Security Megatrends, which form the basis of SIA’s signature annual Security Megatrends report defining the top 10 factors influencing both short- and long-term change in the global security industry. Read Now

  • Generative AI, Cybersecurity Among Top Risks for Healthcare Provider Organizations in 2025

    Overseeing the use of generative artificial intelligence, enhancing cybersecurity and ensuring compliance with a host of federal healthcare regulations headline the Top Risks health systems face in 2025, according to an annual study by Kodiak Solutions. Read Now

  • Wisconsin Shooting Likely a 'Combination of Factors'

    Following the deaths of a teacher and student at Abundant Life Christian School in, Madison, Wisc., police chief Shon Barnes indicated that the motive appears to be a “combination of factors” for a 15-year-old female student’s attack on a study hall. Read Now

    • Active Shooter
    • Incident Response
Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction. 3

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols. 3

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis. 3