Prevent Organized Retail Theft This Holiday Season

• Recent Trends in Retail Theft
• Seasonal Challenges Ahead
• Best Defense? More Security Guards
• Final Thoughts for Store Managers and Retailers
• Contact The Guard Alliance

As the holiday season approaches, all retailers should be reviewing their in-store loss-prevention policies to maximize performance during the busy weeks ahead. With increasing foot traffic, thieves and troublemakers will be among ordinary shoppers and may be difficult to spot. Cameras may be helpful after the fact, but the best way to prevent theft is with a trained set of human eyes.

To further complicate matters, many parts of the country are experiencing a troubling trend of organized retail theft—large groups of thieves descending on retail locations and overwhelming any security measures in place. Given seasonal demand for guards, decision-makers should review their security needs in advance to ensure sufficient coverage during peak periods and deter organized theft. 

Even locations with guards posted may need to add more security team members in December. Some stores may also benefit from the inclusion of armed personnel (even if a weapon isn’t called for, an armed guard’s training and experience always is). We’ve put together this short read to help folks in our network prevent unfortunate mishaps with advanced planning.

Recent Trends in Retail Theft

Retailers are facing a sharp uptick in retail theft and organized incidents since COVID. According to a report by the National Retail Federation (NRF), retailers saw an 18 % increase in shoplifting incidents in 2024 compared with 2023, and theft events involving threats or violence rose by 17 %. Trends are expected to continue this holiday season.

Another industry‑brief noted that organized retail crime is evolving into highly coordinated operations—groups of offenders target high‑value merchandise in multiple stores and then resell via online channels.

For retail security managers, store managers, and owners, the message is clear: theft is no longer just opportunistic shoplifting—it’s strategic, high volume, and increasing in severity. With the holiday season approaching, it’s time to sharpen loss‑prevention plans.

Seasonal Challenges Ahead

The holiday period brings its own unique pressures for retailers and security planners:

• Higher traffic, more activity – As customers flood stores, there are more opportunities for theft, distraction tactics, and organized entry.
• Staffing changes – Many stores operate with temporary staff, extended hours, or fewer experienced security personnel around the holidays, increasing vulnerability.
• Merchandise mix shifts – Seasonal displays often include high‑value or easily resalable items (electronics, designer apparel, cosmetics) that attract organized-theft crews.
• Reduced oversight during downtime – Inventory counts, security audits, and store shutdown periods (after holiday hours or during late shifts) often get less supervision, creating weaker windows for theft.
• Law enforcement and policy movement – Several states and major retail chains are targeting ORC more aggressively, but still many incidents go unreported or under‑prosecuted.

Store managers, security leads and owners must be proactive. Don’t wait for an incident to force reactive security. The “holiday rush + high value merchandise + staffing gaps” formula heightens risk now more than many realize.

Best Defense? More Security Guards

When it comes to mitigating theft and enforcing retail security during the holidays, one of the strongest tools remains the deployment of trained security guards. Here’s how they help and what retailers should focus on:

1. Visible deterrence – Uniformed guards at entrances and high‑value zones send a strong message to would‑be offenders that you’re not an easy target.
2. Real‑time oversight – Guards monitor crowd movements, unusual behaviours and coordinated groups. Organized retail theft often involves distraction and team tactics; guards can intervene early.
3. Support for loss‑prevention teams – Security guards act as the “boots on the floor” for store managers and loss‑prevention staff, enabling faster response, documentation of incidents, and coordination with law enforcement.
4. Flexible coverage for holiday periods – Given extended hours and extra shifts during the holidays, additional guard staffing helps fill the gaps when regular staff are stretched.
5. Proactive risk zones – Focus guard coverage in high‑theft areas such as electronics, cosmetics, accessories, and self‑checkout zones, which organized groups frequently target.
6. Integration with technology – Guards complement CCTV systems, access control, and sensor alerts by providing human judgment and immediate action.
7. Incident documentation – Guards should document interactions, suspicious behaviour, and any theft attempts. Good documentation supports store managers, owner,s and insurers.
8. Crowd management and exit‑point monitoring – During peak shopping times, guards help control flow at exits and monitor for individuals carrying many items or behaving irregularly
9. Training for escalation and safety – Guards need clear protocols for when to intervene, when to observe, and when to involve law‑enforcement. Retailers must ensure they’re trained in loss‑prevention tactics, not just patrol
10. Budgeting for “additional coverage” now – The holiday period is not the time to cut back on security. Owners and store managers should plan for additional guard coverage and include it in their holiday security budget.

Final Thoughts for Store Managers and Retailers

The retail environment has changed: organized theft is more aggressive, diversified and harder to detect than ever. But you don’t have to face it unprepared. By understanding the seasonal drivers of theft, anticipating staffing and traffic changes, and investing in reliable security guard coverage, you’ll significantly raise your defense posture.

For store managers and owners this holiday season, the choice is clear: prepare now or become a target.

Contact The Guard Alliance 

The Guard Alliance has been proud to safeguard America’s retailers since 2010. Each Holiday Season, we inevitably see an increase in requests, both from folks reaching out to us for the first time, and those who need additional guards in a pinch. 

Please review your security needs before too much of December passes by, and contact us for additional guards, same-day deployments, armed security experts, or vehicle patrols.