A Study on Organized Retail Theft in Texas

November 25, 2024

Emboldened criminals are overwhelming loss prevention teams and taking advantage of legal labyrinths to stage organized retail thefts that greatly surpass shoplifting in scope. Losses are mounting as criminal outfits strike retailers and then fence stolen merchandise with ease. The National Retail Federation reports a “dramatic increase across the nation in the number of large-scale, targeted thefts using methods of coordinated and planned attacks on retailers.”

To coordinate a response to organized retail theft in Texas, the 88th Legislature charged the Organized Retail Theft Task Force, led by Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar, with deterring the growing threat to the state’s economic well-being.

Since its formation in September 2023, the task force has met with experts and stakeholders and conducted site visits to compile its findings and recommendations into A Study on Organized Retail Theft in Texas – one of the first steps toward putting these criminals out of business and behind bars.

Use the resources below to learn more about the report, the task force and its efforts to study organized retail theft in Texas.