Survey: Shoplifter, Employee Theft On The Rise

October 2, 2007

More than 530,000 shoplifters and dishonest employees were apprehended and more than $116 million recovered from those thieves by just 23 major retailers in 2006, according to the 19th Annual Retail Theft Survey conducted by Jack L. Hayes International, a loss prevention and inventory shrinkage control consulting firm. Shoplifters and dishonest employees stole over $6.0 billion in 2006 from these 23 major retailers.

“This is only the second time in the past 9 years where both the apprehensions and recovery dollars from shoplifters and dishonest employees has increased. Shoplifting apprehensions and recovery dollars were up an amazing 11.2 percent and 13.9 percent respectively”, said Mark R. Doyle, president of Jack L. Hayes International. “And while employee theft apprehensions were up just under 7 percent, the recovery dollars were up over 16 percent.

“The seriousness of retail theft is a much greater problem than many people realize. The theft losses experienced by retailers is driving consumer prices higher, hurting our economy, and even forcing some retailers to close stores or go out of business.”

The annual survey reports on over 530,000 apprehensions taking place in just 23 large retail companies representing 14,118 stores with combined 2006 annual sales in excess of $537 billion.

Survey highlights include:

  • More than 530,000 shoplifters and dishonest employees were apprehended in 2006, up 10.6 percent over 2005. The total dollars recovered from these apprehensions was over $116 million, up 15.15 percent over 2005.
  • 463,682 shoplifters were apprehended in 2006, reflecting an increase of 11.2 percent from the prior year.
  • For the 6th straight year, the dollars recovered from those apprehended shoplifters ($59.6 million) increased; this time by 13.9 percent over 2005.
  • Surveyed companies apprehended 1 in every 27.9 employees for theft. (Based on 1.85 million employees.)
  • The number of dishonest employees apprehended (66,507) and the dollars recovered during those apprehensions ($56.6 million) both increased in 2006 (6.6 percent and 16.4 percent respectively).
  • On a per case average, dishonest employees steal approximately 6.6 times the amount stolen by shoplifters ($851.44 vs. $128.71).

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