Bipartisan Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Combat Growing Organized Retail Crime
A bipartisan group of lawmakers, led by Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., has introduced the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025. The National Retail Federation (NRF) welcomes this legislation, which aims to tackle a growing problem that affects retailers, their staff, and customers.
The NRF, the leading voice for the retail industry, has long advocated for policy changes to combat organized retail crime (ORC). According to an NRF report, nearly three-quarters of retailers have witnessed increased violence and aggression from shoplifters. Almost all retailers agree that federal legislation is crucial to address this multi-billion-dollar crisis effectively.
The act, introduced by Grassley and Masto, along with Representative Dave Joyce, R-Ohio, seeks to establish an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center. This center will facilitate resource sharing and prosecutions against organized theft groups, making it easier to fight this persistent issue.
The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025, backed by the NRF, is a significant step towards combating the growing threat of organized retail crime. If enacted, it will provide retailers with the federal support they need to protect their businesses and ensure the safety of their employees and customers.
