With shoplifting and organized retail crime reportedly on the rise and credited for shuttering stores across the nation, retailers, politicians and property owners are funneling resources into private security and loss-prevention efforts. Almost half of 177 retail brands surveyed in the National Retail Federation’s 2023 Retail Security Survey released last month said they have increased the use of third-party security personnel as a measure of prevention. Meanwhile, states like Texas, which has seen a near 27% rise in organized retail theft since the beginning of the pandemic, have put together task forces to get ahead of a trend Texas officials say is plaguing large cities across the nation. Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, who announced a task force in September, said it was in response to a growing threat of “mob attacks on retail outlets.” And though opinions vary on how seriously to take that threat, industry players say enhanced security measures have become a top consideration in leasing to and maintaining retail tenants. 
“Retail shrinkage used to largely be attributed years ago to individual suspects, someone going in and stealing one time or from one store. And now it's really more about these organized rings,” said Holly Beilin, director of communications for national security firm Flock Safety. “They are doing this at multiple locations.… Read the full story here. | 
