The holiday season: when stores fill up, lines grow longer, displays shine brighter, and the pace picks up everywhere.

It’s also the time of year when theft and organized retail crime historically spike across the country. 

Retailers continue to face over $100 billion in losses annually. Organized groups move city to city, hitting multiple locations in a single day. Meanwhile, violence tied to theft is rising heading into Q4, and incidents like cargo thefts and parking lot break-ins are adding even more strain on store resources. 

The reality is simple:
The same season that drives record sales also brings the greatest opportunity for bad actors. 

Shoppers Can Make a Difference 

A few simple steps can help make the holiday shopping experience safer for everyone: 

  • Stay alert in parking lots and public areas. 
  • Keep purchases out of sight when storing them in your vehicle between stops. 
  • Avoid distractions– stay off your phone while walking to and from your car. 
  • Report suspicious behavior to store staff or security but never intervene directly. 
  • Appreciate added security measures– they’re there to protect both you and the store. 

Retailers Are Connecting the Dots Faster 

For retailers, the challenge is balancing exceptional service and sales with proactive loss prevention.
Many organized theft crews are using the same vehicles across multiple incidents and regions- making it essential to identify patterns quickly. 

That’s where License Plate Recognition (LPR) technology plays a critical role. 

LPR data helps retailers and law enforcement: 

  1. Link related incidents across stores and jurisdictions. 
  2. Build stronger intelligence to understand offender movement and tactics. 
  3. Collaborate more effectively, leading to faster investigations and arrests. 
  4. Prevent repeat crimes and create safer environments for employees and shoppers alike.

Keeping the Season Festive- Not Risky 

Holiday shopping should feel exciting, not uncertain.
With smarter data, stronger collaboration, and greater awareness, retailers and communities can make this season both profitable and safe.