Organized Retail Crime On the Rise - TheStreet.com

The retail sector is a crime victim.

Organized retail crime is increasing, with 67% of retailers surveyed reporting an uptick in the past year, according to the 13th annual organized retail crime (ORC) study released Friday by the National Retail Federation.

The survey, which polls retail loss prevention employees, concluded that 96% of responding companies had experienced ORC in the past year. Losses averaged $726,351 per $1 billion in sales, an uptick from $700,259 last year.

"Organized retail crime continues to be one of the biggest challenges to retailers of all sizes," NRF VP for Loss Prevention Bob Moraca said. "These crimes happen across the country every day, with criminals getting smarter, more brazen, more aggressive and sometimes even attacking store employees and shoppers. Fighting ORC is a full-time job, and retailers must learn how to stay a step ahead of these thieves."

Los Angeles was the hardest-hit area for ORC in the country, a position it has maintained since 2012. Following in order were New York City, Houston, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago, Orlando, San Francisco/Oakland, Orange County, Calif., and Northern New Jersey.

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