Maximize Efforts Against ORC Through Simple Evidence Collection and Sharing

Organized retail crime (ORC) continues to be a growing problem for retailers. According to a 2024 study by the National Retail Federation (NRF), retailers reported a 93 percent increase in average shoplifting incidents in 2023 compared to 2019. During the same period, 91 percent of retailers stated that shoplifters were exhibiting more violence and aggression.

To help retailers combat ORC and repeat offenders intending to resell stolen goods, federal lawmakers recently reintroduced the bipartisan Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025 in both chambers of Congress. The bill aims to improve the federal response to ORC and establish new tools to mitigate retail theft, recover stolen goods, and deter future attacks across the enterprise—from the supply chain and brick-and-mortar stores to distribution centers, warehouses, and online channels.

The act will also strengthen money laundering statutes to include gift card fraud and point-of-sale (POS) skimming. It proposes the creation of a federal Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security. This center would consolidate expertise from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and private sector partners.

The legislation encourages greater data sharing among retailers, law enforcement, and prosecutors to identify and disrupt organized retail crime networks. While such efforts may bolster collaboration and increase successful prosecutions, retailers can maximize these initiatives through security solutions that simplify data sharing and streamline investigations.

Gather Evidence Easily and Quickly

Gathering forensic information for investigations is essential to fighting ORC. Modern security solutions can help loss prevention teams collect and analyze data to build stronger, more complete bodies of evidence.

A unified security system uses shared core building blocks—such as maps, schedules, users, and privileges—across all components. Events and data from connected sensors and systems are aggregated and visualized in a single user interface.

The result is a security solution that functions as a single system, bringing applications and sensors from multiple providers onto one platform. Retail loss prevention teams can more easily gather evidence, identify theft patterns, spot suspicious activity, and share findings from various sources.

Consolidating an organization’s security technology under one platform streamlines investigations and allows operators to gather all related video and interactions. For example, investigators can use video analytics to locate door props, vehicle footage, or body camera interactions involving the same individual. They can also uncover related events across different times, dates, and locations.

Another key benefit of a unified platform is real-time visibility into the health of a retailer’s security systems and technology enterprise-wide. Operators can generate regular reports or receive automated alerts when devices are not performing. If a video camera fails during an incident, the team may lose access to critical evidence.

Simplify Data Sharing

After evidence is collected, sharing forensic data must be simple, secure, and cost-effective.

To combat ORC, retailers need:

• Easy-to-use technology for sharing video and other evidence with law enforcement

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• The ability to retain evidence to meet minimum standards for criminal and civil cases

• Controls to maintain privileged access and verify the integrity of evidence throughout the chain of custody

Whether a retailer uses disparate proprietary systems or an open, unified platform, a digital evidence management system (DEMS) can reduce pain points in data sharing and collaboration. A DEMS enables users to securely store and share video or other data from a web-based platform accessible via computer or mobile device.

A DEMS streamlines video request management for internal departments, law enforcement agencies, and attorneys. With the click of a button, media can be uploaded from various sources and shared with authorized individuals—eliminating the need to burn DVDs or manually exchange external drives.

Such platforms also preserve the chain of custody, ensure the integrity of timestamps and video, and retain other forensic information. Some systems offer additional features such as automatic redaction, automated updates, and cybersecurity tools to safeguard communications and stored data.

Collaboration Is Key

The most effective long-term strategy to disrupt ORC groups and create safer environments for employees and customers is collaboration between retailers and law enforcement.

By adopting unified platforms with secure, easy-to-use evidence-sharing capabilities, retailers can better detect and deter ORC activity, remain vigilant about merchandise loss, and help protect both their workforce and their customers.