Solutions to Fight Organized Retail Crime
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What is Organized Retail Crime?
Organized retail crime isn’t your average shoplifting. It’s a highly coordinated operation run by professional criminal groups who target retail stores for theft, fraud, and other illegal activities. These sophisticated groups use advanced tactics to bypass traditional security measures. To make matters worse, 8 in 10 retailers believe ORC criminals are becoming more aggressive and violent.
Retailers are losing billions of dollars annually in stolen merchandise and being forced to reduce hours, lay off staff, and even shut down locations. Customers are also suffering the consequences—facing higher prices, fewer product choices, and a diminished shopping experience.
Real Results: ORC Prevention Case Study
Unlike traditional security methods, LVT's solution focuses on deterrence. We equip our mobile units with flashing lights, loudspeakers, and multiple cameras so they are as visible as possible. In a recent study, LVT Units were proven to deter retail crimes.
LVT ORC Prevention
LVT assists retailers in combating ORC using technology, proven industry practices, and collaboration with law enforcement. Preventing ORC with a mobile security system involves deploying real-time monitoring and alert mechanisms. By leveraging mobile technology, retailers can quickly detect suspicious activities, utilize talk down speakers and alarms, and receive instant notifications, improving their ability to thwart theft attempts and safeguard their assets.
Upgrade Your Security, No Overhaul Required
Upgrading your security doesn’t mean starting from scratch. Our solutions are designed to integrate effortlessly with your existing security infrastructure. LVT® Units arrive ready to go—no hardwiring, special tools, or lengthy installation required—and the LVT® Platform works seamlessly with other systems. By adding LVT to your security ecosystem, you’re not replacing what works—you’re making it stronger.
Learn Best Practices to Combat Organized Retail Crime
- Optimize store layout to minimize blind spots
- Train your staff to recognize and respond to suspicious behavior
- Deploy anti-theft devices like security tags and locked displays for high-value items
- Integrate security systems for comprehensive protection
- Collaborate with law enforcement to improve response times
- Prioritize clear communication to quickly identify and address threats
ORC is On the Rise
ORC is a full-blown crisis—and it’s getting worse. In recent years, retailers saw:
- 18% increase in the number of ORC cases
- 95% increase in the average value stolen per case
- 131% increase in total dollar amounts stolen
That’s why LVT partnered with retailers, law enforcement, and cities across the country to create the ACCESS Taskforce, or the Alliance of Companies and Communities to Enhance Safety and Security.
Common Organized Retail Crime Methods
Organized retail crime is more than petty theft. These groups use creative and sophisticated methods to carry out attacks. Some of the most common ORC methods include:
- Flash robberies: Large groups storm a store, grabbing as much merchandise as possible before fleeing.
- Return fraud: Criminals use stolen receipts, switch price tags, or return stolen goods to profit from refunds.
- Cargo theft: Criminals hijack shipments during transit, using tactics like fictitious pickups, coerced stops, or terminal robberies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Organized Retail Crime (ORC) refers to criminal activities where groups steal merchandise from retail stores in a coordinated manner for profit.
Organized retail crime impacts the retail industry by causing significant financial losses, increasing prices for consumers, and undermining the safety and security of retail environments.
Common types of organized retail crime include shoplifting by organized groups, fraudulent returns, gift card scams, and organized refund fraud.
Retailers can prevent organized retail crime by implementing robust security measures such as surveillance systems, electronic article surveillance (EAS), employee training, and collaboration with law enforcement.
Technology plays a crucial role in preventing organized retail crime through the use of advanced surveillance systems, data analytics to identify suspicious patterns, and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tagging for inventory management.
LVT's mobile security units directly address organized retail crime. Equipped with cameras, lights, and automated alerts, LVT Units deter organized retail crime and other suspicious behaviors at retail locations. LVT has seen a 62% reduction in high-risk crimes and a 69% decrease in grab-and-go thefts wherever units are deployed.
Retailers can collaborate with law enforcement by sharing information, reporting incidents promptly, participating in task forces, and providing evidence for investigations.
LVT Units help with evidence gathering which proves very useful when collaborating with law enforcement.
The legal implications of organized retail crime include charges for theft, conspiracy, fraud, and racketeering, which can result in significant fines, imprisonment, and damage to a retailer's reputation.
Employees can be trained to prevent organized retail crime by educating them about common tactics used by criminals, implementing secure cash-handling procedures, and promoting a culture of vigilance and awareness.
LVT Units alleviate the burden felt by employees to intervene in dangerous situations brought about by organized retail crime. Automated alerts, speaker call-outs, and lights deter criminal activity, and as a result, employees are safer and more secure in their work environment.
Best practices for retailers to prevent organized retail crime include establishing clear policies and procedures, conducting regular audits of inventory and transactions, fostering strong relationships with vendors, and investing in loss-prevention technology.
See how two cities address organized retail crime using LVT Units through the ACCESS Taskforce.
Customers can help prevent organized retail crime by being vigilant and reporting suspicious behavior to store staff or management, respecting store policies, and avoiding purchasing goods from unauthorized sellers or suspicious sources.
