As retailers across the United States face mounting losses, America’s shoplifting crisis has reached alarming levels with businesses losing over $13 billion annually to theft. This translates to more than $35 million lost every day, with projections showing total retail theft could exceed $53 billion by 2027. The problem has grown so severe that shoplifting alone could cost retailers over $150 billion by 2026.
The scale of the issue is reflected in nationwide statistics showing 1.15 million shoplifting cases reported in 2023, the highest since 2019. Los Angeles saw an 87% increase in shoplifting incidents from 2019 to 2023. Urban retailers are particularly affected by this trend, forcing them to increase security investments to protect their merchandise. Areas with higher unemployment rates consistently show 40% higher shoplifting incidents compared to the national average.
Shoplifting isn’t limited to any single demographic group. About 27 million Americans—one in every 11 people—have engaged in shoplifting, with juveniles aged 12-16 being the most likely offenders. The average value of stolen merchandise per offense is $125, but the mean value in 2020 jumped to $461.86, a 71% rise from 2019.
Shoplifters span all demographics, with 1 in 11 Americans admitting to theft and teens being the most frequent culprits.
What makes this crisis particularly challenging is the low detection rate. Stores apprehend shoplifters in only about 2% of incidents, and the average shoplifter is arrested just once for every 100 offenses. This low risk of consequences has emboldened repeat offenders.
Organized retail crime has become a major concern, with coordinated groups targeting high-value items across multiple locations. These professional thieves contribute greatly to the rapid escalation in theft-related losses and pose increased safety risks. AI-powered security systems are becoming essential for retailers as they can analyze unusual patterns in customer behavior to identify potential theft before it occurs.
The impact on businesses is substantial. Many retailers are forced to raise prices to offset losses, while some have closed locations in heavily affected areas. In fact, 30% of retailers closed store locations specifically in response to retail theft in 2023. Small businesses are especially vulnerable to these financial pressures.
In response, the retail industry is increasingly turning to advanced security measures, including sophisticated AI surveillance systems, to combat this growing threat.
References
- https://getsafeandsound.com/blog/shoplifting-statistics/
- https://capitaloneshopping.com/research/shoplifting-statistics/
- https://www.retaildive.com/news/organized-retail-crime-shrink-fight-2025/737710/
- https://counciloncj.org/shoplifting-trends-what-you-need-to-know/
- https://www.lot-guard.com/resources/blog/commercial-theft-trends-to-look-out-for/
