34th ANNUAL RETAIL THEFT SURVEY
34th ANNUAL RETAIL THEFT SURVEY
Provided by Jack Hayes International
HIGHLIGHTS FROM JACK L. HAYES INTERNATIONAL’S
34th ANNUAL RETAIL THEFT SURVEY
TOTAL RETAIL THEFT
Apprehensions: Survey participants apprehended a total of 204,404
dishonest individuals (shoplifters and employees) in 2021, a decrease of
12.8% from the prior year.
Recoveries: Dollars recovered from those apprehended thieves
increased a 9.9% to over $240 million in 2021.
Case Value: The average theft case value in 2021 was $1,180.39, an
increase of 26.0% from 2020.
SHOPLIFTING
Apprehensions: Survey participants apprehended 166,745 shoplifters in
2021, a decrease of 16.2% from the prior year.
Recoveries: Dollars recovered from shoplifting apprehensions totaled
over $196 million in 2021, an increase of 6.1% from 2020.
Recoveries (no apprehension): Dollars recovered from shoplifters
where no apprehension was made (over $339 million) increased a
staggering 51.1% in 2021.
Case Value: The average shoplifting case value in 2021 was $1,178.57,
an increase of 26.6% from 2020.
EMPLOYEE THEFT
Apprehensions: Survey participants apprehended 37,659 dishonest
employees in 2021, up 6.0% from 2020.
Recoveries: Dollars recovered from dishonest employee apprehensions
totaled over $44 million in 2021, up an amazing 29.8% from 2020.
Case Value: The average dishonest employee case value in 2021 was
$1,188.46, an increase of 22.6% from 2020.
SURVEY PARTICIPANTS
- 25 Large Retailers (Dept, MM/Big-Box, Specialty Apparel, Supermarkets)
- 22,751 Stores (representing an excellent cross-section of the U.S.)
- $656,770,024,164 in Annual Retail Sales (2021)
TOTAL RETAIL THEFT APPREHENSIONS
Difference 2020 2021 #/$ Pct.
Apprehensions 234,441 204,404 -30,037 -12.8%
Recoveries $219,618,232 $241,276,985 $21,658,753 09.9%
Avg. Case Value $936.77 $1,180.39 $243.62 26.0%
Retail Theft Apprehensions Breakdown
SHOPLIFTING
Difference 2020 2021 #/$ Pct.
Apprehensions 198,897 166,745 -32,152 -16.2%
Recoveries $185,148,693 $196,520,951 $11,372,258 06.1%
Avg. Case Value $930.88 $1,178.57 $247.69 26.6%
Recoveries $224,361,560 $339,088,295 $114,726,735 51.1%
(No Apprehension Made)
EMLOYEE THEFT
Difference
2020 2021 #/$ Pct.
Apprehensions 35,544 37,659 2,115 06.0%
Recoveries $34,469,539 $44,756,034 $10,286,495 29.8%
Avg. Case Value $969.77 $1,188.46 $218.69 22.6%
