"Shoplifting is a year-round problem across the globe, and many stores are struggling with loss due to it. With many dominant retailers losing millions of dollars annually, such as Target, Walmart, and H&M, stores are beginning to shutter."--Mila Boyden
Shoplifting is a year-round problem across the globe, and many stores are struggling with loss due to it. With many dominant retailers losing millions of dollars annually, such as Target, Walmart, and H&M, stores are beginning to shutter.
How Much Stores Are Losing Per Year Due To Shoplifting?
According to a Safewise article on holiday shoplifting, “Major retailers such as Target, Nike, and Walmart are grappling with escalating theft challenges and seeking solutions. Target recently announced the closure of nine stores in various cities, citing the rising threat of theft and organized retail crime as the primary reasons.
Nike also had to permanently shut down a high-profile store in Oregon due to rampant theft, affecting the company's profits. On the other hand, Walmart has already closed 22 stores in 2023.”
Meanwhile, these retailers are feeling the loss. “Target said in May that theft was cutting into its bottom line and it expected related losses could be $500 million more than last year,” stated a CBS news article by Anne D'innocenzio, “when losses from theft were estimated to be anywhere from $700 million to $800 million. So that means losses could top $1.2 billion this fiscal year.”
Why Is Shop Lifting Most Common During The Winter Holiday Season?
Shoplifting happens all year round and for many different reasons. Some people don't have access to food banks which would cause them to shoplift. Others may not have enough money for clothing, while some people shoplift even when they can afford the various items they choose to steal simply because they don’t want to spend the money.
Although shoplifting happens all year round, it is most common during the winter holiday season. There are many reasons for this, including the weather becoming much colder and rainier than previous months of the year, and people may have to shoplift to get clothes to keep themselves warm and dry to prevent themselves and loved ones from getting sick.
In a post for RFT Global, a security company that works with major retailers like Home Depot, Bosh, and more, Stephan Weisan outlines other reasons for “a shoplifting season”:
- More traffic: There are more people in stores during the holidays, and that raises the chance of theft statistically.
- Distracted Staff: With more people, more events, and more chaotic stores, the staff is simply distracted. Thieves are aware of this and take advantage.
- Cold Weather Clothing: When the weather is colder, people wear more bulky clothing. This makes it easier to steal since items are more easily hidden.
- Extra Pressure: The holiday season’s gift-giving expectations can put people under significant pressure to find suitable gifts, leading to heightened stress and financial strain. This added pressure may make individuals who are already inclined to steal even more likely to engage in shoplifting.
“I think it [shoplifting] is more common during the holiday season because people are trying to provide gifts for their families. Furthermore, there is a heightened production of goods during the holidays,” said Cb Omand, an 8th grade Literary Arts student at Oakland School for the Arts. “So, I think that people think that they might as well take some and that it won’t be hurting anything.”
What are Stores Doing about This Seasonal Spike In Shoplifting?
Stores' responses to shoplifting varies from store to store, depending on the size, popularity, and merchandise within the store. A small corner store may not be able to do much about shoplifting (small corner stores and convenience stores are also more likely to get violently robbed and held up compared to major retail stores) while major retailers have many approaches to the issue.
Many stores are locking up items ranging from baby formula to pimple patches, making it much harder to shop. “It's okay that they lock up cosmetics and such because they are expensive, and when people are stealing a lot of it they could be losing a large amount of money because it all starts to add up. But it's not okay to lock up baby formula because no one is buying baby food to sell it, or trying to make money, or gain something for themselves, they're taking it so that they can feed their children,” Omand said.
Many stores are also increasing their security by increasing the number of security guards, cameras, and mirrors, on store property. Clothing stores are also putting security tags on various forms of clothing.
Robberies during The Winter Holiday Season
House, vehicle break ins, and robberies are also more common during the holiday season for a few reasons. Many people travel during the holiday season leaving their houses empty for days which makes their property vulnerable to theft and vandalism.
“During the holiday season, especially at Christmas, theft-related crimes tend to increase. According to the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), robbery and larceny increase by approximately 20% every December. As a result, this time of year requires additional vigilance,” writes Associate Professor at the School of Security and Global Studies for American Military University, Dr. Jarrod Sadulski.
How To Prevent Robberies This Winter Holiday Season
The winter holidays should be a stress free time to enjoy yourself and have fun with loved ones. If you or a loved one is planning on going on a vacation this winter, try following these tips to make sure that your house doesn’t become a victim of a classic holiday theft.
- When packages are being delivered to your house (such as online ordered presents) make sure that you are there to prevent them from getting stolen by porch pirates.
- Setting up an easily visible exterior camera and alarm system can scare thieves away from stealing or breaking into your house.
- Wait till you are back home to post pictures of your vacation, don’t advertise the fact that your house is empty because it makes it a good target for thieves.
- You can also try setting a timer for your light to turn on so that it appears that someone is home.
