Retail Theft Increases Despite Crackdowns, GreyOrange Research Finds

Retail theft continues to rise across the United States despite tougher state laws and coordinated crackdowns, according to new research from GreyOrange, a global provider of warehouse orchestration and store inventory management software.

More than 30 states have enacted laws since 2022 to address organized retail crime through stricter penalties and lower felony thresholds, according to the report. In June, major retailers and law enforcement agencies collaborated on a nationwide operation that led to 400 arrests in 28 states.

However, findings from a GreyOrange survey of 500 U.S. store managers conducted in July indicate that theft remains a growing challenge.

Theft persists despite enforcement

Sixty-one percent of managers said there has been no improvement since recent organized crime crackdowns, and 20% reported that theft has worsened. Only 16% noticed a decrease. Food and grocery stores were the most likely to report an increase, with 28% saying theft was up — 1.6 times more likely than those reporting a decline.

Tactics becoming more aggressive, coordinated

Store managers said theft incidents are becoming harder to detect and more dangerous. Twenty-three percent described them as more aggressive, 37% said they are more organized, and 35% said tactics have become sneakier.

Safety concerns for retail workers

Nearly two-thirds (64%) of managers and staff have felt unsafe due to theft attempts or incidents in recent months, and 10% said they frequently worry about their safety. Health and beauty stores reported the highest concern, with 77% of respondents saying they have felt unsafe.

“Retail theft doesn’t seem to be easing up, despite recent crackdowns and tougher criminal penalties,” said Troy Siwek, general manager, gStore by GreyOrange. “If anything, store managers feel that tactics are evolving to be even more aggressive, coordinated, and sneaky. High crime rates have a compound impact on the whole retail ecosystem.”

The GreyOrange Eye on Inventory report also includes additional insights into how tariffs are affecting inventory levels and store operations.

The research was conducted by Censuswide among 500 U.S. middle and senior retail managers aged 18 or older between July 16 and July 28.