ATLANTA, September 9, 2024 – Organized Retail Crime (ORC) has emerged as a serious threat to retailers across the United States, causing billions of dollars in economic losses. Retail Crime That Is Organized refers to large-scale, coordinated theft operations where criminals steal goods not for personal use, but to resell for profit. Scott Glenn, Vice President of Asset Protection at The Home Depot, emphasizes, “It’s not opportunistic shoplifting; it’s a well-organized operation.”
According to the US Chamber of Commerce, grouped retail crime has led to over $125 billion in lost economic activity and more than 650,000 job losses. The Home Depot is taking a proactive approach to address this growing issue, implementing new technologies and collaborating closely with law enforcement to curb these criminal operations.
Safety is the top priority for The Home Depot. The company has introduced several measures to combat retail crime, including extensive training for associates and enhanced in-store asset protection. In addition, The Home Depot has worked with lawmakers to support the INFORM Consumers Act, passed in 2023, which prevents the sale of stolen goods online by requiring verification of high-volume third-party sellers.
Scott Glenn also advocates for the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), a federal bill aimed at increasing resources for investigation and prosecution. CORCA would create a centralized resource for law enforcement to share information and pursue cases involving Retail Crime that cross state lines. This legislation is currently under review in Congress.
By combining technology, legal action, and collaboration with law enforcement, The Home Depot remains committed to protecting its customers, associates, and the retail industry from the growing threat of organized retail crime.
