The National Retail Federation (NRF) has recently expressed strong support for the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025, a new legislative initiative spearheaded by Chairman Chuck Grassley, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, and Representative Dave Joyce. The act aims to tackle the escalating crisis of organized retail crime (ORC), a phenomenon causing widespread disruption across the retail sector.
According to David French, Executive Vice President of Government Relations at the NRF, ORC is a multibillion-dollar challenge that not only affects retailers but also their employees and the customers they serve. He emphasized that ORC is not limited to theft from stores but spans the entire retail ecosystem, including supply chains, warehouses, and online platforms, with stolen goods often sold for profit to fund additional criminal activities.
To combat this growing threat, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act proposes the creation of the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center. This new initiative will enhance collaboration among local, state, federal, and private-sector partners, ensuring that vital resources and information are shared in real-time to support criminal investigations and prosecutions targeting organized theft groups.
David French praised the bipartisan efforts of Chairman Grassley, Senator Cortez Masto, Representative Joyce, and all co-sponsors for their leadership in addressing one of retail’s most pressing challenges. He urged Congress to act swiftly in approving this crucial piece of legislation, underscoring its importance in preventing ORC from infiltrating local communities nationwide.
A recent NRF report titled “The Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2024” highlighted alarming trends, with 73% of retailers reporting an increase in violence and aggression from shoplifters over the past year. Moreover, 94% of surveyed retailers agreed that federal legislation is essential to effectively combat retail crime. French emphasized the urgency of passing the act, noting that without strong legislative action, these criminal activities will only continue to grow.
Through this legislation, the NRF and its partners aim to create a more coordinated and strategic approach to tackling the complexities of ORC, offering the retail sector much-needed support in fighting back against these criminal operations.