Shoplifting & Dishonest Employee Cases Increased in 2020, According to Survey
Jack L. Hayes International Inc. released the results of its 33rd annual retail theft survey, which reports on more than 184,000 shoplifters and dishonest employee apprehensions in 2020 by 22 large retailers, who recovered over $81 million.
“While temporary store closures due to the COVID-19 Pandemic resulted in fewer thieves being caught stealing in 2020, the average shoplifting case value increased 13 percent and the average dishonest employee case value increased 3.8% over 2019,” said Mark R. Doyle, president of Jack L. Hayes International Inc. “As expected, the COVID-19 pandemic clearly affected apprehensions and recovery dollars in 2020, with shoplifting apprehensions and recovery dollars down 43.8 percent and 36.5 percent respectively; and dishonest employee apprehensions and recovery dollars down 20.3 percent and 17.2 percent, respectively. However, those participant retailers designated as ‘essential,’ saw overall apprehensions rise 7.9 percent and dollar recoveries increase 9.1 percent during 2020.”