Shoplifter and Dishonest Employee Theft on the Rise

Fruitland Park, FL — Over 530,000 shoplifters and dishonest employees were apprehended and more than $116 million recovered from those thieves by just 23 major retailers in 2006, according to the 19th Annual Retail Theft Survey conducted by Jack L. Hayes International, the leading loss prevention and inventory shrinkage control consulting firm. Shoplifters and dishonest employees stole over $6.0 billion in 2006 from these 23 major retailers.

"This is only the second time in the past 9 years where both the apprehensions and recovery dollars from shoplifters and dishonest employees has increased. Shoplifting apprehensions and recovery dollars were up an amazing 11.2% and 13.9% respectively", said Mark R. Doyle, President of Jack L. Hayes International. "And while employee theft apprehensions were up just under 7%, the recovery dollars were up over 16%." Mr. Doyle added, "The seriousness of retail theft is a much greater problem than many people realize. The theft losses experienced by retailers are driving consumer prices higher, hurting our economy, and even forcing some retailers to close stores or go out of business."

This highly anticipated annual survey reports on over 530,000 apprehensions taking place in just 23 large retail companies representing 14,118 stores with combined 2006 annual sales in excess of $537 billion.

Some of the survey highlights include:

  • Over 530,000 shoplifters and dishonest employees were apprehended in 2006, up 10.6% over 2005. The total dollars recovered from these apprehensions was over $116 million, up 15.15% over 2005.
  • 463,682 shoplifters were apprehended in 2006, reflecting an increase of 11.2% from the prior year.
  • For the 6th straight year, the dollars recovered from those apprehended shoplifters ($59.6 million) increased; this time by 13.9% over 2005.
  • Surveyed companies apprehended 1 in every 27.9 employees for theft. (Based on 1.85 million employees.)
  • The number of dishonest employees apprehended (66,507) and the dollars recovered during those apprehensions ($56.6 million) both increased in 2006 (6.6% and 16.4% respectively).
  • On a per case average, dishonest employees steal approximately 6.6 times the amount stolen by shoplifters ($851.44 vs $128.71).

Jack L. Hayes International, Inc. has been in the Loss Prevention/Shrinkage Control consulting business for over 29 years, and is recognized on an international level as the foremost loss prevention and inventory shrinkage control consulting firm in the world.

Jack L. Hayes International, Inc., 4028 Williams Street-Suite 200, Fruitland Park, FL 34731


TOTAL RETAIL THEFT

SURVEY PARTICIPANTS
  • 23 Large Retail Companies
  • 14,118 Stores (representing an excellent cross-section of the United States)
  • $537,148,091,000 in Annual Retail Sales (2006)
TOTAL RETAIL THEFT APPREHENSIONS Difference
  2005 2006 #/$ Pct.
Apprehensions 479,364 530,189 50,825 10.60%
Recoveries $101,003,146 $116,307,051 $15,303,905 15.15%
Avg. Case Value $210.70 $219.37 $ 8.67 4.11%



Retail Theft Apprehensions Breakdown
SHOPLIFTING Difference
  2005 2006 #/$ Pct.
Apprehensions 416,956 463,682 46,726 11.21%
Recoveries $52,370,605 $59,680,223 $7,309,618 13.96%
Avg. Case Value $125.60 $128.71 $ 3.11 2.48%
Hours Per Apprehension*
(*11 companies reporting)		 71.13 57.12   (19.70%)
Recoveries
(No Apprehensions Made)		 $16,010,450 $16,399,403 $ 388,953 2.43%
 
DISHONEST EMPLOYEES Difference
  2005 2006 #/$ Pct.
Apprehensions 62,408 66,507 4,099 6.57%
Recoveries $48,632,541 $56,626,828 $7,994,287 16.44%
Avg. Case Value $779.27 $851.44 $72.17 9.26%


Source: Jack L. Hayes International
4028 Williams Street, Suite 200, Fruitland Park, FL. 34731
Telephone: (352) 365-1200 - Website: www.hayesinternational.com
 

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or Mail to: 4028 Williams Street-Suite 200, Fruitland Park, FL 34731

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