Misleading Narratives of Organized Retail Crime

The media and retail industry have propagated misleading narratives about a surge in organized retail crime. Despite claims of a shoplifting epidemic and a rise in organized crime, there is no real evidence to support these claims. Reports from industry associations, such as the National Retail Federation, lack quality data and rely on self-reported information from retailers themselves. The focus on viral videos and social media posts further reinforces the narrative, but fails to provide substantial evidence. The lobby-led effort to drive public attention to retail crime aims to secure public investment in private security and advocate against progressive criminal justice reforms. The exaggerated claims of organized retail crime serve as a distraction from underlying factors such as poverty and structural issues that contribute to petty crime.