Retail theft a problem during holidays | theft, city, holidays - News - The News Herald

As holiday shoppers rush to stores, so do thieves looking to blend in and make a profit off local retailers.
“Small businesses never expect that anybody in their stores are stealing from them, but that’s not the case,” said Doug Fleener, president for Dynamic Experiences Group, a retail consulting firm in Massachusetts.

Panama City stores have seen theft, too, store owners say. About a year ago, Out of the Box on West 23rd Street had an incident. Owners later took steps to make sure theft never occurred at the business again, said Linda Lee Bell, co-owner.

“It happened right under our nose,” Bell said.

Return fraud alone is expected cost retailers industrywide $2.7 billion during this holiday season. Retailers’ busiest time also makes them more vulnerable, Fleener said. Thieves will forge receipts and try to return boxes filled with rocks. Some claim never to have received an item ordered online.

Organized theft also is growing, according to a National Retail Federation survey. Florida law enforcement officials uncovered up to $100 million in stolen goods that was to be auctioned off last year, according to a 2008 Organized Retail Crime Survey.

Fraud is a big enough concern to catch the attention of the Better Business Bureau that covers Northwest Florida. The bureau released a press release to businesses warning them about fraud in September.

“Businesses are reporting it as a problem,” said Karen Szulczewski, bureau communications director.

Corporate representatives for Target, Victoria’s Secret and Justice Clothing for Girls did not return phone calls and e-mails seeking comment. Locally, stores referred questions to their headquarters. A Walmart spokeswoman did not answer questions asked or respond to a subsequent e-mail.

Read full article here -> Retail theft a problem during holidays theft, city, holidays - News - The News Herald