These States Have the Highest Retail Theft in the US

DALLAS (KDAF) — Retailers in the U.S. lost an estimated $121.6 billion to retail theft in 2023, and this number is expected to rise, reaching $150 billion by 2026. But which states have the highest retail theft?

A new study conducted by researchers at Storeganise analyzed the latest crime data in the US to determine which states experience the most retail theft. Looking at incidents like burglaries in places including convenience stores, department stores, shopping malls, specialty stores, liquor stores, and gas stations, the data was then calculated per 100,000 businesses to create a final ranking.

Texas took sixth place among all 50 states, with 1,771.59 retail theft cases per 100,000 businesses.

Washington took the top spot, with 3510.66 retail theft cases per 100,000, while New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon and Oklahoma rounded out the top five.

On the other end of the spectrum, Florida has the lowest rate of reported retail theft in the US, followed by New York and New Hampshire.

“Businesses across the country are facing increasing challenges from burglaries,” said Miles Davison, spokesperson for Storeganise. “It’s crucial to support business owners and ensure their safety, as well as the safety of their employees. In Florida, shoplifting incidents have reportedly dropped by 30% since 2019, which might be reflected on this study. This unexpected trend is a positive sign for businesses in the state but it doesn’t mean the state is entirely safe. Despite the decrease in shoplifting, other forms of property crime, such as burglaries and thefts, may still be on the rise. It’s important for businesses to remain vigilant and implement effective security measures.”

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