Organization estimates theft costing Ohio retailers billions a year

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Retail theft has been hitting stores nationwide and the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants (OCRM) estimates it's costing Ohio retailers between $2 and $3 billion a year.

“It is the top issue for our industry. We have seen, unfortunately, since the pandemic an increase in the rates of organized retail crime," said Alex Boehkne, Vice President of OCRM. “We’re not talking about petty shoplifting, we’re talking about large scale sophisticated attacks on retailers  for large dollar amounts.”

The council represents more than seven thousand retailers statewide. Boehnke said much of what is being stolen is happening through organized retail crime. 

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office (FCSO) recently shared details about a theft ring in central Ohio. Local convenience stores were using people looking for quick cash to steal from larger stores.

“Obviously we would like to be able to stop these crimes as they happen. But being able to compile evidence, have the law enforcement professionals handle these cases and then have the statutes on the books so they can successfully be prosecuted, I think is the most impactful way to address what we’re seeing," Boenhke said.

From stores locking up certain products to having to raise prices because of what's going on, Boehnke said consumers are affected too.

"It's multifaceted and it impacts the retailer, their customers and the community as a whole," he said.

Small businesses are also being hit, according to the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

“It is top of mind for many of them and it has led some of them to rethink their entire business model," said Don DePerro, President and CEO of the chamber.