Two widely different sets of FBI data underscore the need for better information on theft, however, according to Council on Criminal Justice researchers. That includes better reporting from retailers.
An analysis of shoplifting in three major U.S. cities — Chicago, Los Angeles and New York — shows varying trends, in part due to local differences and in part due to questions about the underlying data, according to two studies on the issue from the Council on Criminal Justice released Wednesday.
Retailers’ problem with shoplifting is especially acute this time of year. Because so many shoppers head to physical stores during the holiday quarter, shoplifting spikes in November and December, sometimes “considerably,” according to the report. In the first half of this year, shoplifting in 23 U.S. metro areas has risen 24% on average compared to 2023, which means that shoplifting for the year is likely to be up, too.
The council’s look at the country’s three largest cities revealed a slew of idiosyncrasies, but found that shoplifting rates so far this year are higher than before the pandemic.
Shoplifting on the rise this year, report shows | Retail Dive