by Ethan Faverino | Nov 18, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
As retailers gear up for Black Friday and the holiday rush, a new analysis of FBI crime data highlights significant variations in shoplifting risks across the U.S., with Oregon emerging as the state most vulnerable to theft this November.
The study examined shoplifting reports per 100,000 residents in November over the past four years (2021-2024).
“As retailers prepare for Black Friday and the peak winter shopping months, these variations underscore the need for tailored, state-specific strategies,” said CEO of Turvallinen Markus Kanerva, whose company conducted the study. “Stores in high-incident areas may need to increase security personnel, deploy advanced surveillance technology, or implement stricter inventory controls. “
Oregon leads the nation with an average of 59.90 incidents per 100,000 people—a staggering 89.68% above the national average of 31.58.
New Mexico ranks second with 57.85 incidents per 100,000 (+83.19% above the national average), followed by Delaware in third with 48.48 (+53.51%). New York and Arizona round out the top five with scores of 47.47 (+50.32%) and 46.91 (48.54%), respectively, showing elevated risks in the Southwest and Northeast regions.
Vermont (46.72, +47.94%), Pennsylvania (46.27, +46.52%), Virginia (45.60, +44.40%), Maryland (42.76, +35.40%), and Tennessee (39.76, +25.90%) complete the top ten.
On the other side of the list is Idaho, which reports the lowest rate in the nation with 15.45 incidents per 100,000 residents—51.08% below the national average. Following is Rhode Island with 18.72 (-40.72%), Alaska with 19.08 (-39.58%), Hawaii with 19.09 (-39.55%), and Maine with 19.21 (-39.17%).
“Relying on broad, national-level policies is no longer sufficient; the data suggests that nuanced approaches and being responsive to local risk patterns are far more effective in preventing theft,” Kanerva added. “As holiday shopping ramps up, businesses that proactively address local shoplifting trends are likely to be better positioned to navigate one of the busiest retail periods of the year.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Ethan Faverino | Nov 6, 2025 | Economy, News
By Ethan Faverino |
Arizona has emerged as one of the nation’s hotspots for shoplifting, ranking third highest in the United States with 587.83 incidents per 100,000 residents in 2024, according to a new report by Summit Defense.
This rate is 56% above the national average, highlighting a growing challenge for retailers and law enforcement across the state. The study, which analyzed FBI Crime Data Explorer figures for the full 2024 calendar year, underscores Arizona’s position in a troubling trend that has been dominating Western states.
“Shoplifting may seem tempting for many, but it’s just not worth the risk, and when people adopt the mindset of seeing shoplifting as a more insignificant crime, then more people often commit it, and the effect that this can have on businesses is enormous,” said Rabin Nabizadeh of Summit Defense. “This study highlights where shoplifting is an epidemic and needs urgent attention from lawmakers, law enforcement, and local businesses in the state.”
Under Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) 13-1805, shoplifting is defined as knowingly obtaining goods from a retail establishment with the intent to deprive the owner, including actions like removing items without payment, altering price tags, transferring goods between containers, or concealing merchandise.
Penalties in Arizona escalate based on the value of stolen goods and aggravating factors:
- Less than $1,000: Class 1 misdemeanor (unless a firearm, then Class 6 felony)
- $1,000- $1,999: Class 6 felony
- $2,000 or more: Class 5 felony
- Repeat offenders (two or more prior theft-related convictions in 5 years): Class 4 felony
- Organized retail theft (involving intent to resale or tools to remove merchandise): Class 4 felony
Nationally, New Mexico leads with 777.97 incidents per 100,000 residents—106% above average—followed by Oregon at 675.98 (79% above). Arizona’s third-place ranking puts it ahead of Delaware (581.84 per 100,000, 54% above) and New York (558.55 per 100,000, 48% above).
At the other end of the chart, Idaho reports the lowest rate of shoplifting at 176.90 incidents per 100,000, putting it 53% below the national average. Maine is ranked second with 211.70 per 100,000 (44% below), followed by Rhode Island at 216.25 per 100,000 (43% below), Hawaii at 217.22 per 100,000 (42%), and Alaska at 232.22 per 100,000 (38%).
The 30-39 age group dominates shoplifting demographics in 46 states, including Arizona, accounting for around 30% of all reports nationwide.
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
by Matthew Holloway | Jan 6, 2025 | News
By Matthew Holloway |
The National Retail Federation (NRF), in partnership with the Loss Prevention Research Council, reported that nationwide shoplifting has increased by an astronomical 93% when compared to 2019 figures. The incidence of shoplifting is up 26% over 2023 numbers. According to the NRF’s, “Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2024,” retailers participating in the study logged 177 shoplifting incidents per day in 2023. On some days, that number would spike to over 1,000. In addition, 73% of the retail outlets surveyed warned that shoplifters are acting with significantly increased violence and aggression than in 2019.
David Johnston, NRF vice president of asset protection and retail operations, told FOX Business, “This isn’t what we were used to. This isn’t the shoplifting I was apprehending 30 years ago. These are people who are shoplifting because they know when they have an outlet to sell this merchandise to.”
Referring to the onset of organized retail shoplifting groups that resell stolen goods, he said, “Not every shoplifter is going out there and selling their stolen goods online or at a flea market. They’re selling them in larger mass quantities to these local, regional or transnational organizations who are helping to feed the system.”
In Arizona, the opposite seems to be true. Shoplifting is down according to Department of Public Safety statistics from 41,519 incidents in 2019 to 34,587 in 2023, a decrease of approximately 17% with incomplete data for 2024 showing just 29,832 incidents. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell told Fox 10 that in 2023, her office received approximately 600 submittals for the charge of organized retail theft. Mitchell warned at the time that the number was increasing.
“Arizona, specifically Maricopa County, will not tolerate this type of offense that is driving retailers to close stores, to hurt the communities that the stores are located in, and driving people out of business,” Mitchell told the outlet.
The NRF report shows that retailers who are capable of tracking organized retail theft saw a 57% increase on average in these incidents from 2022 to 2023. The organization is advocating for the passage of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, which would increase federal level coordination with state and local level law enforcement.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
