According to the NRF’s previous research, retail shrinkage totaled $46.8 billion in 2017, indicating that retail’s shrink problem has continued to grow over the past few years.
“Between an increase in incidents and new ways to steal, shrink is at an all-time high,” NRF vice president for research development and industry analysis Mark Mathews said in a statement. “Loss prevention experts are facing unprecedented challenges from individual shoplifters to organized gangs to highly skilled cybercriminals. Retailers are responding with both traditional methods and the latest technology, but this is an ongoing challenge that can only be won with the support of lawmakers and law enforcement.”
