Big-city crime in 2023 had some businesses saying enough is enough

Shoplifting accounted for $112.1B in losses in 2022, up from $93.9B in 2021: report

In major cities across the country in 2023 a number of retail stores and other businesses faced with rampant crime, to the detriment of their livelihood and customers’ well-being.

Major metropolises like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Portland and Washington, D.C., were plagued by retail thieves ransacking malls and department stores, with many of the instances caught on video that were posted on social media.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) announced in September that shoplifting accounted for $112.1 billion in losses in 2022, up from $93.9 billion in 2021.

“Retailers are seeing unprecedented levels of theft coupled with rampant crime in their stores, and the situation is only becoming more dire,” said David Johnston, NRF vice president for asset protection and retail operations. “Far beyond the financial impact of these crimes, the violence and concerns over safety continue to be the priority for all retailers, regardless of size or category.”

In September, Target announced it would close multiple stores in Portland, San Francisco and New York City due to an alarming rise in theft and violence.

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