Global Retail Theft Barometer Study Finds Shrink Cost Retailers

Shrink, comprised of shoplifting, employee or supplier fraud and administrative errors, cost the global retail industry more than $128 billion last year, $42 billion in the US alone, according to the latest Global Retail Theft Barometer. This represents 1.29 percent of retail sales, on average.

Per household retail crime across the 24 countries surveyed ranged from $74 to $541. The annual cost of shrink to US shoppers, as passed on from retailers, averaged $403 per household.

The study, underwritten by an independent grant from Checkpoint Systems, Inc., was carried out in 2014 by The Smart Cube and Ernie Deyle, a retail loss prevention analyst. It was based upon in-depth phone and written survey interviews conducted in 24 countries among 222 retailers representing $744 billion in sales in 2013.

According to the study, shrink is down slightly in most countries. The lowest shrink rates were recorded in Norway (.83 percent of retail sales), followed by Japan. The US came in at 1.48 percent of retail sales, down slightly from 1.50 percent. The highest rates were recorded in Mexico (1.70 percent) and China (1.53 percent). The overall reduction in shrink was attributed to an increased focus on loss prevention methods and a slightly improved economic outlook, particularly in North America.  In addition, there was increased loss prevention spending in countries with the best shrink improvements.

While shoplifting is the biggest cause of all retail shrink in 16 of the 24 countries surveyed, in the US, employee theft ranked first at 42.9 percent, with shoplifting next at 37.4 percent.

Cost of Retail Crime Up

Even as the US shrink rate lowered slightly, the cost of retail crime (supplier fraud, employee theft, shoplifting, loss prevention spend) as a percentage of revenue, rose 27 percent, to 1.74 percent last year (from 1.37 percent in 2012). That increase is primarily attributed to a surge in shoplifting and dishonest employee theft incidences in the country, along with lower loss prevention spending by US retailers.

US discounters (2.78 percent), pharmacies/drugstores (2.16 percent) and supermarkets/grocery retailers (1.38 percent) witnessed the highest shrink rates because of the widespread prevalence of organized retail crime and lower loss prevention spending for some of them. Almost all types of retail stores in the US were affected by dishonest employee theft and shoplifting.

Most Stolen Merchandise

Shoplifters and dishonest employees in the US primarily targeted products that were easy to conceal and resell in the market, including fashion and mobile phone accessories. Other frequently pilfered products include power tools, wines and make-up products.

The use of source tagging RF labels prior to arriving at retailers has increased globally and continues to build momentum according to respondents, while 50 percent of US retailers plan to increase or maintain the number of source tagged SKUs.

According to The Smart Cube, “This report provides detailed descriptions of the sources of shrink and helps retailers understand the most cost-effective ways of addressing their problems. A number of best practices emerged from our research, including appropriate spending ranges to address the issue.”

“We are pleased to support this global statistical research for the thirteenth year,” said Per Levin, president and chief sales officer Shrink Management & Merchandise Visibility Solutions, Checkpoint Systems. “Our hope is that retailers can learn more about the causes of shrink and work with their suppliers and solutions partners to create joint programs to reduce shrink and associated costs.”

Interested parties can obtain a copy of the latest Global Retail Theft Barometer report and see a video overview of the study at GlobalRetailTheftBarometer.com. In addition, an in-depth review of the study will be available via a webinar hosted by Loss Prevention Magazine today at 11 a.m. EST.

Retailers wishing to participate in next year’s Global Retail Theft Barometer study may register here.

Featured

  • DHS to End ‘Shoes-Off’ Travel Policy

    Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced a new policy today which will allow passengers traveling through domestic airports to keep their shoes on while passing through security screening at TSA checkpoints. Read Now

  • AI to Help Resolve Non-Emergency Calls Across Utah and Decrease 911 Caller Wait Times

    The Utah Communications Authority (UCA), which oversees the state’s next generation 911 technology services, recently announced that public safety answering points (PSAPs) throughout the state plan to implement Motorola Solutions’ Virtual Response technology to automate the receipt and resolution of 10-digit non-emergency line calls in Utah with the help of AI. Read Now

  • Report: 2025 Video Surveillance Market Set to Grow After Small Decline in 2024

    Novaira Insights has unveiled its latest report, “World Market for Video Surveillance Hardware and Software – 2025 Edition.” The research indicates that the global market for video surveillance hardware and software experienced a slight decline of 0.3% in 2024. This performance fell short of previous forecasts, primarily due to a significant decrease of 7.8% in the Chinese market. Conversely, the rest of the world saw a growth of 4.9%. The global market for video surveillance equipment was estimated to be worth $25.0 billion in 2024. Read Now

  • Report Reveals Local Governments Face Surge in Ransomware Attacks with Minimal Resources

    KnowBe4, the cybersecurity platform that comprehensively addresses human risk management, recently released new research highlighting the critical cybersecurity challenges facing state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments. The report details how government organizations have become prime targets for cybercriminals while simultaneously facing severe resource constraints. Read Now

  • Video Surveillance Trends to Watch

    With more organizations adding newer capabilities to their surveillance systems, it’s always important to remember the “basics” of system configuration and deployment, as well as the topline benefits of continually emerging technologies like AI and the cloud. Read Now

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • 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.