Affiliate Spotlight: Delaware Retail Council

BY TYLER MICIK

Members from the Delaware Retail Council (DRC), an affiliate of the Delaware State Chamber met with Attorney General Kathy Jennings, Chief Deputy Attorney General Dan Logan, and others from the Delaware Department of Justice recently to discuss organized retail crime (ORC).

ORC is the coordinated theft of goods by an individual or group with the intent to resale them. According to an article published by CNBC earlier this year, the National Retail Federation estimates that retailers lost $40.5 billion to theft, including ORC, in 2022. That represented approximately 36% of total inventory losses.

Thieves are going into shopping malls, boutiques, big box and warehouse stores, and more and clearing out entire shelves and walking out the front door with thousands of dollars in merchandise. They often get away because store employees are trained to not engage due to safety concerns. This happens frequently and, in many cases, is the result of an organized effort. At the Eastern States Retail Conference in New York City last year, I learned that 327 people were responsible for around 30% of the city’s retail theft in 2022. Similar statistics can be found in cities across the country.

Members from the DRC provided the Attorney General’s office with data on ORC’s impact to their businesses. They also discussed innovative technologies they’re using to prevent theft and ensure employee and customer safety, in addition to brainstorming ways businesses can work with law enforcement and neighboring states to support retailers in the fight against ORC.

If you’re a retailer in Delaware, the DRC is here to support you. Contact me at tmicik@dscc.com to learn more and get involved.