Skip navigation
MOST POPULAR RELATED TAGS
  • TOPICS
  • SECTORS
  • COMPANIES


Current DateTime: 10:56:16 09 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 23279679
Expiration DateTime: 11/9/2009 10:57:39 PM

Current DateTime: 10:56:17 09 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 24355697
powered by digg

ABOUT THIS BLOG

Get RSS Feed

It's a make-it or break it time for retailers. The holiday selling season is always a critical time for retailers, but this year this may be even more true. With several retailers already falling victim to a drop in consumer spending, and filing for bankruptcy, retailers will be navigating through some tricky waters. Consumers are strapped for cash due to high energy and food prices, and unemployment is rising. The recent credit crunch has made it more challenging for retailers and consumers to borrow.

This blog will look at the winners and losers in the retail space. Who has the right strategy to capture consumer dollars? It also will look for trends in consumer spending and how that will impact the economy.
 
Text Size
Jun.04
11:45 AM ET
Wednesday, 4 Jun 2008
Retail Theft Up But Is Bad Economy The Cause?

Shoplifiting sign
haledavid1
Shoplifiting sign

A record number of retailers--85%--say that they've been victims of organized retail crime in the past 12 months. That's up 6% since 2007.

Is this a Jean Valjean effect? In other words, is the tough economy driving shoplifting and organized retail theft? Or is this the result of increased accessibility of online resale markets and consumers willingness to buy from non-traditional third party merchants?

According to the NRF, nearly two-thirds (63%) of retailers experienced an increase in online resale of stolen items or "e-fencing" during the past 12 months. Maybe this illegal online market is booming because consumers are now comfortable with buying from eBay or unknown merchants if the price is right.

Whatever the reason, the result is a pricey problem for stores. Retailers spend approximately $230,000 per year on labor costs to fight organized retail crime each year. Some large retailers who have been directly affected by retail theft can spend upwards of $1 million a year to counter those kleptos. That's a significant sum particularly in a tight spending market.

So there ya go. I thought this was a juicy retail detail topic.

Questions? Comments?

© 2009 CNBC, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Tools:
PrintEmailAdd This share icon
Next Post
  • digg share

CNBC HIGHLIGHTS

  • Do free market libertarians really believe what they say about ethics and shareholder value? The Big Money takes a look.
  • Jim Cramer
  • Cramer did the research and found eight stocks that lead the pack. Read on to get his top picks.
  • On the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, many in the former Eastern Bloc recall communism fondly.
  • Gavel
  • Software, biotech firms, even banks are watching a particular Supreme Court argument today.
  • From politicians to CEOs to companies, here's your chance to vote for the winners and losers of 2009.
  • A new sinister Internet viruses can turn you into an unsuspecting collector of child pornography.
ADD COMMENTS
Remaining characters


Current DateTime: 09:34:04 09 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29778428

Current DateTime: 09:34:04 09 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29779196

Current DateTime: 09:34:04 09 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29779199

Current DateTime: 09:34:04 09 Nov 2009
LinksList Documentid: 29779198
  Data is a real-time snapshot  *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes
Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes, and Market Data and Analysis

© 2009 CNBC, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.
A Division of NBC Universal
Thomson ReutersThomson Reuters