News/Blog

June 20, 2023

The shoplifting epidemic

By Brittney Sherman

You may have noticed that more and more retail shops have merchandise under lock-&-key and security guards manning the door. A shoplifting epidemic that began as random smash-and-grabs, has now morphed into organized retail crime that is sweeping the nation. According to the National Retail Federation, retail theft is an estimated $100 billion problem, and growing. The challenge, how to fight organized retail crime while keeping consumers and employees safe.

In an effort to stop sales associates from escalating shoplifting instances to violent and potentially fatal situations, the Senate passed SB 553 which prohibits retailers from requiring staff to confront shoplifters. The Bill requires that all employers regardless of size meet workplace violence standards that are even more aggressive than those applied to hospitals. Although many retailers have strict anti-confrontation policies already in place, SB 553 will require employers to provide active shooter training, maintain logs of violent encounters, and manage workplace violence restraining orders.