On May 3, Jack L. Hayes International, Inc. released the results of their 35th Annual Retail Theft Survey which reports on over 340,000 shoplifter and dishonest employee apprehensions in 2022 by just 26 large retailers, who recovered over $288 million from these apprehended thieves.
“81% of survey participants reported an increase in shrink in 2022 and this is reflected in their total apprehension and recovery statistics. Total apprehensions increased 45.6% and total recovery dollars from these apprehensions increased 70.5% in 2022. Many retailers returned to making shoplifter apprehensions post-pandemic and focused more of their attention on external theft issues in 2022. Our survey revealed shoplifter apprehensions and recovery dollars from those apprehensions increased significantly in 2022, up 50.9% and 90.5% respectively,” said Mark R. Doyle, president of Jack L. Hayes International, “Recovery dollars where no shoplifter apprehension was made, but merchandise was recovered, increased 44.1% in 2022.” On the employee theft side, there was an increase in 2022 in both dishonest employee apprehensions and recovery dollars, 18% and 14.7% respectively.”
Highlights from this survey include:
Participants: 26 large retail companies with 22,182 stores and over $700 billion in retail sales in 2022.
Shrink: 81% of retailers surveyed reported that shrink increased in 2022.
Apprehensions: Participants apprehended 340,488 shoplifters and dishonest employees in 2022, up 45.6% from 2021.
Recovery Dollars: Participants recovered over $288 million from apprehended shoplifters and dishonest employees in 2022, up 70.5% from 2021.
Shoplifters: 295,654 shoplifters were apprehended in 2022, up 50.9%; and over $237 million was recovered from these shoplifters, up 90.5%. Note: Dollars recovered from shoplifters where no apprehension was made ($485 million) increased 44.1% in 2022.
Dishonest Employees: 44,834 dishonest employees were apprehended in 2022, up 18%; over $50 million was recovered from these employees in 2022, up 14.7%