With a rise in social media reports of people shoplifting from retail stores, fears have arisen that society is on the brink of a surge in larceny and theft. However, a deeper look at the data shows that many of these fears may be unfounded.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics, there has not been a sustained increase in shoplifting cases since the early 2000s. In fact, the rate of shoplifting incidents decreased from 1999 to 2014. The BJS also notes that shoplifting is the least commonly encountered property crime, based on the percentage of people who reported being a victim.
The data has been substantiated by several independent sources. USA Today recently reported that shoplifting is a “minor problem” for retailers, citing estimates from the National Retail Federation that revealed shoplifting accounts for only about one percent of US retail sales. In addition, Forbes reported a survey conducted by Checkpoint Systems that found that shoplifters are more likely to be motivated by an emotional need than an economic one.
The data paint a rather positive picture in terms of the prevalence and effect of shoplifting. However, it is important to note that the same data reveals there is a significant portion of society that does engage in shoplifting. The same Checkpoint Systems survey reported that 75 percent of individuals admit to having shoplifted at some point in their lives. A 2014 report by the Washington Post indicates this figure is even higher among teenagers, noting that 86 percent of teens report having shoplifted at least once.
Thus, while the data reveals that fears of a surge in shoplifting are largely unfounded, it is also important to note that shoplifting is still a pervasive issue. To combat shoplifting, retailers should invest in anti-theft measures, while also providing teens and other groups more resources to address economic and emotional issues that can lead to stealing.