# How to Address & Combat Shoplifting Trends Source: https://3rdmil.com/how_to_address__combat_shoplifting_trends/ Last updated: 2026-06-17T18:13:56+00:00 How to Address & Combat Shoplifting Trends - 3rdmil - Blog [Skip to content](https://3rdmil.com/how_to_address__combat_shoplifting_trends/#content) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/bg_big_alt.svg) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/shopper.png) ## How to Address & Combat Shoplifting Trends Shoplifting is the **\#1 property crime in the U.S**. and is considered the **world’s second-oldest profession.** Each year, retailers are faced with the reality that the holidays bring about an upward trend in shoplifting. More than **$13 billion in merchandise is stolen each year,** averaging more than **$35 million – about 550,000 shoplifting incidents – per day**. Approximately 2**7 million people shoplift**, which equates to about 1**0% of the U.S. population**. It’s not just “customers” who commit theft, though; employees are common perpetrators. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reported that **$50 billion is lost annually to employee theft and fraud alone**, and about **75% of employees steal at least once.** Surprisingly, statistics show that more **adults (75%) than juveniles (25%) shoplift.** [Stores](http://www.cstoredecisions.com/2014/12/03/shining-brighter-light-shoplifting-trends/#_) in larger cities are more likely to have more shoplifters for several reasons: 1) large cities offer anonymity; 2) they have national roadways that offer easy access and quick escape routes; and 3) busy streets offer a way to leave a store on foot unnoticed. Recently, there’s been an increased concern about violent confrontations in the apprehension of shoplifters. According to the National Retail Federation, shoplifting incidents are under-reported due to reluctance to make arrests or proceed with prosecutions. In reality, retailers, police departments and prosecutors are unlikely to make juvenile offenders face a day in court, whether for expense, lack of resources or workloads of more serious crimes. Shoplifting and employee theft continue to be the driving force behind retail inventory shrinkage. [The Global Retail Theft Barometer](http://www.globalretailtheftbarometer.com/index.html) is a unique research tool that measures the cost of retail shrinkage due to shoplifting, employee and supplier theft, fraud, and administrative errors. With this resource, retailers will **better understand shrinkage trends** as well as the **leading causes and methods** of preventing shoplifting. Each year’s report acts as a reference point for the retail community. Likewise, 3rd Millennium Classrooms offers [**STOPLifting**](https://3rdmil.com/shoplifting-cessation-course/), a three-hour online intervention course used as a sanction for individuals charged with a shoplifting or petty theft violation. It covers critical topics such as victim impact, legal repercussions, types of shoplifters, and behavior-change strategies. The course also explores justifications and consequences. [**STOPlifting**](https://3rdmil.com/shoplifting-cessation-course/) is written in a motivational interviewing style, drawing from personalized feedback and other evidence-based approaches to help shoplifters move towards change in behavior. ## Popular Topics: - [Alcohol](https://3rdmil.com/category/alcohol/) - [Drugs](https://3rdmil.com/category/drugs/) - [Cannabis and THC](https://3rdmil.com/category/cannabis-and-thc/) - [Vaping and Nicotine](https://3rdmil.com/category/vaping-and-nicotine/) - [Human Trafficking](https://3rdmil.com/category/human-trafficking/) - [Healthy Relationships](https://3rdmil.com/category/healthy-relationships/) - [Universities and Colleges](https://3rdmil.com/category/universities-and-colleges/) - [High Schools and Middle Schools](https://3rdmil.com/category/high-schools-and-middle-schools/) [https://3rdmil.com/?s=](https://3rdmil.com/?s=) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/search_desktop.svg) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/search_mobile.svg) [see all articles tablet](https://3rdmil.com/?s=) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/search_desktop.svg) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/search_mobile.svg) [Page 1 32](https://3rdmil.com/?s=) ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Page-1-3.svg) ## Related Articles [![bg\_sec2](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/bg_sec2-qgm4sqdgtva4y0szr7luczafz6p3apz36ubh34q1g0.webp) ## AI and Academic Integrity: How Universities Can Prevent AI Cheating and Protect Their Reputation ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Little-Squares.svg)](https://3rdmil.com/ai-academic-integrity-higher-education/) [![Cannabis\_ A\_Detailed\_Guide-img](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Cannabis_-A_Detailed_Guide-img-scaled-1-qk224g3aw94ulf50ia25tol5l5prkigud7zuec2bbk.jpg) ## The 2018 Farm Bill Explained: What Schools, Courts, and Agencies Must Know in 2026 ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Little-Squares.svg)](https://3rdmil.com/the-2018-farm-bill-explained-what-schools-courts-and-agencies-must-know-in-2026/) [![hazing prevention photo](https://3rdmil-uploads.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/06212432/hazing-prevention-photo.jpg) ## Hazing Is a Multi-Million Dollar Problem for Universities: Here’s Why Prevention Matters ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Little-Squares.svg)](https://3rdmil.com/cost-of-hazing-universities/) [![Screenshot 2026-05-07 110053](https://3rdmil-uploads.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/07160103/Screenshot-2026-05-07-110053.png) ## Course Highlight: Hazing & Hosting ![](https://3rdmil.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Little-Squares.svg)](https://3rdmil.com/course-highlight-hazing-hosting/) [https://3rdmil.com/?s=](https://3rdmil.com/?s=)