Seattle Shoppers Worry About Retail Theft

Retail crime is clearly influencing shopping preferences in Seattle.

State legislators, in fact, are considering lengthening sentences for organized retail theft (the bill is currently in a House committee), and the National Retail Federation has made retail crime a priority, both here and elsewhere.

Technology firm Flock Safety finds that Seattle consumers are significantly more concerned about retail crime compared to the national average: “In line with retailers’ concerns, Seattle consumers also perceive a growing threat of retail crime.”

Almost 60% of Seattle residents say they prefer online shopping because of concerns about retail crime. Slightly more than half say they consider shoplifting a serious problem — 21 percentage points above the national average.

Several retailers, including Bartell Drugs, Target and Goodwill, have cited retail theft the past few years as reasons for closing stores in Seattle. The National Retail Federation notes that theft cost Washington state retailers almost $3 billion in 2021.

Two separate studies released in the past 18 months also found that retail theft is worse in Washington than any other state. Even the city of Seattle admits there’s room for improvement.

I’ve seen brazen examples of retail theft, including a robber dashing from a convenience store with a bunch of booze, and a clothing theft where the culprit snipped plastic security devices with a bolt cutter to steal several high-end purses.

Retail theft has increasingly become a national issue, but it’s clearly worse here than elsewhere. It’s time to quit talking and make this a priority.