Retail crime is on the rise, threatening retailers, their customers and the communities they serve. That’s why the National Retail Federation named October 26 as Fight Retail Crime Day to highlight the need for swift and comprehensive action by Congress to address the growing incidence of these crimes.
On Fight Retail Crime Day, NRF activated our grassroots network to highlight 2 ways Congress can fight retail crime by acting on legislative measures including the INFORM Act to curb the sale of stolen goods online and the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act to increase federal coordination to fight crime. In just one day, retail advocates sent over 800 messages to 220 members of Congress.
NRF also recognized nearly 100 lawmakers as Retail Crime Fighters for their support of retail’s crime fighting priorities and encouraged them to share their commitment to fighting retail crime with their constituents on social media.
Tell Congress to support the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act.
Curbing the sale of stolen goods online
Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., one of the lead sponsors of the INFORM Act, shared, “I’m proud to be leading efforts to protect consumers by pushing for passage of our INFORM Consumers Act.” The INFORM Act would curb the sale of counterfeit goods by requiring online marketplaces to verify the identity of high-volume third-party sellers. “This bipartisan bill will help safeguard online users & legit businesses from organized retail crime through increased verification & transparency,” he said.
Another INFORM Act cosponsor, Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., shared, “I’m proud to be recognized as a Retail Crime Fighter on Fight Retail Crime Day.” Garbarino noted incidents of retail crime in his district, saying, “recent smash and grab robberies have plagued businesses across Long Island and NYC.”
Improving coordinated response to retail crime
NRF also advocated for the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act on Fight Retail Crime Day. This bill establishes a new Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center that will help federal, state and local law enforcements agencies better coordinate to effectively combat criminal activities. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., one of the bill’s lead sponsors in the House of Representatives, said the bill “will improve our federal response and establish new tools to recover goods and illicit proceeds, deterring future attacks on U.S. retailers.”
Additional legislative solutions to fight retail crime
Rep. Young Kim, R-Calif., is another member of Congress shaping the debate on retail crime. NRF supports the Improving Federal Investigations of Organized Retail Crime Act introduced by Kim. “Retail crimes endanger entrepreneurs, employees and customers alike,” Kim said. “In my district, we see another business victimized nearly every week. People want safe communities to help address these crimes and I will keep working hard to support our entrepreneurs chasing their dream, creating jobs and strengthening our local economies.”
Fight Retail Crime Day may be over, but it’s not too late to take a stand against retail crime. Stay involved by participating in NRF’s grassroots campaign.
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