Pandemic led to an increase in retail security threats

Retailers call for a federal ORC law

Source: PantherMedia/Andriy Popov

Organized retail crime and numerous other security concerns evolved in 2020, and most retailers attribute the increase in criminal activity to the pandemic, according to the 2021 Retail Security Survey released by the National Retail Federation.

“Retailers have continuously pivoted throughout the pandemic to ensure their employees can work within a safe environment and their customers can shop safely, whether in stores, online or through avenues like buy online, pick up in store,” NRF Vice President for Research Development and Industry Analysis Mark Mathews said. “But new ways of shopping have also opened up new avenues for criminal activity. As retailers adapt to address these new security threats, the need for federal support is even greater to combat these dangerous and harmful activities.”   

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the risk environment for retailers on several fronts. While more than two-thirds (69 percent) said the pandemic resulted in an increase in overall risk for their organization, respondents specifically mentioned the impact on workplace violence (61 percent) and organized retail crime (57 percent). 

Mandated store shutdowns and other shopping restrictions that occurred throughout 2020 had an impact on where fraudulent activity occurred. More than one-third (39 percent) of respondents said they saw the greatest increase in fraud in multichannel sales channels such as buy online pick up in store, up from 19 percent the year before. In contrast, just 28 percent said the greatest increase in fraud came from in-store-only sales, down from 49 percent the year before. The percent of those who pointed to online-only sales fraud remained flat.

The survey found that while the overall shrink rate remained relatively steady compared with 2019, it remains above the average of the last five years. Respondents reported an average shrink rate of 1.6 percent, unchanged from last year’s high.

Apprehensions and prosecutions of dishonest employees are down compared with last year and with the five-year average. However, the cost per dishonest employee case is increasing. Half (50 percent) of respondents reported an average dollar loss of at least $1,000 compared with 29 percent in 2019. 

Perhaps more concerning is the fact that a majority of retailers (65 percent) agree that ORC gangs are exhibiting higher levels of aggression and violence than they did the year before. Retailers cited COVID-19, policing and changes to sentencing guidelines, and the growth of online marketplaces as top reasons behind the increase in ORC activity. 

ORC gangs target a variety of stolen items including designer clothing (reported by 22 percent of retail respondents), laundry detergent (17 percent), designer handbags, allergy medicine, razors and high-end liquor (tied at 15 percent each), pain relievers (13 percent) and infant formula and teeth whitening strips (tied at 11 percent each). 

The top five cities for ORC in the past year in order were Los Angeles, San Francisco/ Oakland, Chicago, New York and Miami.

As additional threats emerge, retailers are investing in more resources to safeguard their customers, employees and operations. Half (53 percent) of retailers said their companies are allocating additional technology resources and another 50 percent said they are allocating additional capital specific to LP equipment. In a shift from the last few years, there was a significant increase in those reporting they would dedicate additional staffing resources.

With the size and scope of these threats continuing to grow, it is clear retailers need support from additional external resources, including lawmakers and law enforcement. A large majority of respondents (78 percent) believe a federal ORC law is needed to effectively combat these issues. Otherwise, retailers are left to address crimes that are often entangled between a patchwork of local jurisdictions.