Shoplifting Declines, but Fraud and Organized Retail Crime Challenge Jewelers

By JCK News Desk | July 31, 2026

Incidents of shoplifting and merchandise theft decreased in 2025, but fraud, scams, and supply-chain theft committed by organized crime rings were on the rise, according to a new study released by the National Retail Federation (NRF).

Retailers recorded 12.4% fewer shoplifting incidents and an 8.1% decline in merchandise theft compared with 2024, the NRF said. It attributed the improvement in part to investments in store security, technology, employee training, and other loss-prevention measures. It noted, however, that theft levels remain significantly higher than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The report underscored the continued threat that organized retail crime poses to jewelers. Jewelry, including gold and watches, ranked among the merchandise categories generating the highest dollar losses from organized retail crime groups.

While high-profile smash-and-grab incidents appear to be easing, the NRF’s findings suggest that criminal groups are increasingly shifting toward more sophisticated and less visible theft methods. Over two-thirds of all surveyed retailers (69%) reported an increase in phone scams, and 42% reported higher levels of gift-card theft and fraud.

In addition, 40% of retailers in the study reported an uptick in organized retail crime–related shoplifting incidents, while more than a third (36%) saw increases in cargo and supply-chain theft. Half of the survey respondents told the NRF they’d had an increase in repeat offenders.

“Significant challenges remain as organized criminals continue to exploit vulnerabilities throughout the retail environment,” said David Johnston, the NRF’s vice president for asset protection and retail operations.

The study also explored retailers’ experience with violent threats and actions against their businesses. Respondents reported increases in homelessness-related disruptions and other incidents, and more than half of surveyed retailers said they had increased exterior security measures, such as cameras and license-plate readers. Many expanded interior surveillance systems and employee-safety programs as well.

The NRF noted a growing interest among retailers in technologies designed to combat theft and organized criminal activity, including AI-powered fraud detection, RFID (wireless tracking), and digital analytics.

For its “Impact of Retail Theft & Violence” study, the NRF conducted online questioning of senior loss-prevention and security executives at more than 60 retail companies from February to April of this year.

The JCK News Desk uses AI to help research and produce the first draft of articles. This story was then reviewed by staff writer David Blomquist.

(Top: Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal)