Flock Safety and Zencity release retail crime survey

ATLANTA — Flock Safety has collaborated with Zencity to release a new nationwide survey that reveals the growing impact of organized retail crime (ORC) on consumer shopping behavior and broad support for technology to enhance safety in stores.

Key findings from the survey show that retail crime is a growing concern, with one-third of consumers viewing it as a serious issue. Additionally retail crime is driving consumers online. The survey found that 58% of shoppers prefer online shopping due to crime concerns, and 63% who have witnessed retail crime are more likely to shop online.

“The data shows that people don’t just want to talk about safety, they want action,” said Michael Simon, chief strategy officer at Zencity. “American consumers want to feel safe while shopping, and are eager for retailers to adopt new technology to restore a safer, more welcoming, and more convenient shopping experience. It stands to reason that retailers who recognize this trend in public opinion and take action will be better positioned to encourage more in-store shopping from their customers.”

Additional findings include:

• Long wait times for locked merchandise
• More security measures and support for stronger ones
• Strong public backing for security tech like license plate recognition (LPR) cameras as a crime deterrent

“As the leading security technology company for retailers, Flock Safety often acts as the intermediary between security, whose goals are entirely focused on the safety of their customers and employees, and business leaders, who aim to ensure a positive customer experience,” said Bailey Quintrell, chief strategy officer of Flock Safety. “Retail crime has clearly had a profound impact not just on businesses, but on the everyday shopper. Our cutting-edge security technology and AI-driven tools help combat crime, and create a safer, more welcoming environment for businesses and shoppers alike.”

The survey notes that between 2022 and 2023, shoplifting incidents increased by 26%, with 42% of these cases involving acts of violence. Retail theft resulted in store losses of over $121 billion in 2023, and projections suggest it could surpass $150 billion by 2026.

As a result, 76% of retailers expressing growing concerns over retail crime, with many turning to video and AI-powered security solutions and real-time data-sharing technology to deter crime and improve safety.

The survey was conducted with 3,522 respondents, recruited between Dec. 21, 2024, and Jan. 13, 2025, using targeted ads across various platforms, including social media and apps for Android and iOS, and online survey panels. To ensure a representative sample, quotas were applied based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, matching the distribution of race, ethnicity, age, and gender in the national population or specific metro areas surveyed.

You can find the full survey online at www.flocksafety.com.