Shoplifter Aggression is on the Rise, Survey Finds

Violence in retail settings—whether from thieves, unhappy customers, or disgruntled employees—affects not only the retailer, but its employees, consumers, and innocent bystanders. Beyond concerns over workplace safety, these incidents can also result in difficulties hiring and retaining staff, stolen inventory, and damage to facilities and a retailer’s reputation.

The National Retail Federation’s 2023 annual survey, which questioned retail security professionals, found certain trends arising from violent incidents in stores.

Sara Mosqueda is associate editor for Security Management. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or on X, @XimenaWrites.