Amongst the translucent accessories, sparkles and ballet flats recirculating as 2023 trends, is another more shocking prediction – shoplifting! Ugh, that’s definitely a Fashion Law violation.
Homeland Security has warned retailers that organized retail crimes (ORC) are rampantly increasing, leaving many companies preparing for the worst this year. ORC typically involves groups of individuals who steal property with the intent to sell and distribute. The idea is for these criminal enterprises to convert stolen merchandise into cash, or even return them to the original store for credit.
Perhaps, this is what 2018 Reddit users were trying to warn us about after Sandra Bullock’s Return Scam scene in Ocean’s 8, because since then ORC has risen to a $100 Billion problem. The 2022 end of year National Retail Security Survey found that retail crime rose by 26.5%. Because theft is higher than it has historically ever been, retail companies warn that 2023 may bring bigger security changes.
Major retailers such as Target, Walmart and Walgreens have been incredibly public about their concerns with shoplifting, often with conflicting views on how to subdue it. Just this week, Walgreens CFO, James Kehoe, told investors on the Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. First Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call that perhaps they overplayed shoplifting concerns in 2022.
However, Doug McMillon, Walmart’s CEO, has said that if the theft problem continues in their stores, it could lead to closures and price jumps. (To that I say – Criminals, please stop stealing, I’m just a broke law student trying to afford my shopping addiction, any price increase might kill me XD)
In all seriousness, shoplifting is headed to crisis proportions. Retailers are still recovering from the pandemic–with labor shortages and supply chain back ups, they can’t afford to keep locations open if ORC continues. In the last few years, shoplifting has turned into an entirely different beast, with even violence at the forefront.
Currently, 38 states do not consider shoplifting a felony unless merchandise worth $1,000 or more is stolen. On Social Media, many California residents have even taunted that shoplifting is therefore legal. However, the truth is that because state laws hold that stealing merchandise worth less than $951 is a misdemeanor, law enforcement doesn’t bother to investigate. So while shoplifting is rarely prosecuted, it is still illegal and a huge issue.
Many store policies prohibit employees from confronting shoplifters. A viral TikTok by a Target employee circulated a while back, saying that Target watches shoplifters on camera but won’t stop them unless they steal a certain amount of inventory. Target has since said that ORC led to over $400 million in lost profits in 2022. Many stores now take precautions to lock up more items than before. And I’ll admit, it’s pretty annoying to have to track down an employee to unlock the product. Just this month, I chased down a CVS employee to help me with the press-on nails. A humbling moment for me and my bare manicure for sure.
But, what are retailers left to do? Some say, it’s time for lawmakers to get involved so maybe this is the year we see shoplifting become more than a misdemeanor. Who’s to say it won’t work! I mean, the risk of facing a felony for a Walmart Tank-top has got to deter some people…right!?
Legally Beau Monde 