Retail Crime, Cargo Theft Impacts Businesses and Consumers Across the Country

Across the country, surges in retail crime and cargo theft are putting the nation’s businesses and consumers at risk. While higher-profile crimes and finger-pointing grab the headlines, businesses continue to struggle with rising business-focused crimes, and employees, businesses, and consumers are playing the price.  Crimes against businesses impact local communities, workers, and the businesses they rely on. Tackling this issue requires support from policymakers, law enforcement, prosecutors, and businesses. 

The Chamber recommends a three-pronged approach to combat rising business-focused crime in communities across the country. Learn more below. 

Retail Crime’s Effect on Business 

Retail crimes, like organized shoplifting rings and “smash-and-grabs”, have been persistent problems for America’s businesses.   

Crime numbers often fluctuate from year-to-year but the long-term trends are clear with larcenies involving shoplifting having doubled since the 1970’s according to statistics from the nonprofit Council for Criminal Justice.   

The effect of retail crime is widespread with innocent customers, employees, and business owners bearing financial and societal costs. Retail crime creates higher prices for consumers, results in stores having to close their doors, and communities left without vital goods and services.

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