How Many People Shoplift a Day

Determining the exact number of people who shoplift in the United States daily is challenging due to the nature of the crime, as many incidents go unreported. However, available data and surveys provide valuable insights into the prevalence of shoplifting.

Shoplifting Statistics

Recent reports indicate a significant increase in shoplifting incidents. According to a study by the National Retail Federation (NRF), retailers saw a 93% increase in the average number of shoplifting incidents per year in 2023 compared to 2019. This study, conducted with the Loss Prevention Research Council, surveyed large and mid-size retailers and found that in 2023, there were an average of 177 shoplifting incidents per day per retailer. It is important to note that this number can exceed 1,000 for some retail sectors.

Another source suggests that over 10 million shoplifting cases are reported in the U.S. annually, but only one in every 48 incidents leads to an arrest. This highlights the discrepancy between reported and actual shoplifting occurrences.

Prevalence of Shoplifting

Surveys that ask individuals about their own behavior offer a different perspective. One survey found that approximately 1 in 11 Americans have shoplifted at some point in their lives, which translates to roughly 27 million people. Another survey from 2024 by LendingTree revealed that 23% of Americans admitted to having shoplifted, with 23% of those having done so within the past year. This suggests that a significant portion of the population has engaged in this activity.

Recent Trends

Shoplifting rates have shown an upward trend in recent years. Data from the Council on Criminal Justice indicates that shoplifting rates in several major U.S. cities, including New York and Los Angeles, have increased significantly since the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, in Los Angeles, shoplifting was 87% higher by the end of 2023 than in 2019. In the first ten months of 2024, Chicago has already seen a 46% increase in reported shoplifting compared to the same period in 2023.

While national crime data from the FBI for 2024 shows a decrease in overall property crime, shoplifting continues to be a concern for retailers and communities. The increase in organized retail crime, where groups of people steal items for resale, has also contributed to the rise in shoplifting incidents and financial losses for businesses.