Understanding shrinkage to better protect your margin 🛒

Shrinkage , and more specifically shoplifting, represents a daily and costly challenge for all retail players, whether in grocery retail, pharmacies, or hardware stores. According to the Sensormatic Global Shrink Index, global shrinkage represents approximately 1.82% of retail revenue, or more than $100 billion in losses each year. This silent phenomenon doesn't just distort your inventories; it directly erodes your profit margins and weighs on the overall profitability of your stores. To effectively counter this threat, the essential first step is to precisely identify the products most frequently targeted by thieves.

Understanding which items are these priority targets allows you to deploy an effective and tailored prevention strategy . Especially since the phenomenon is accelerating: a study published by the NRF in 2025 reveals an 18% increase in shoplifting incidents in 2024 compared to the previous year. This article aims to present the top 10 most stolen items, providing you with the knowledge needed to better secure your assets, protect your profits, and optimize in-store security management.

High-value goods: the preferred target of organized theft 💎

The most frequently stolen products share characteristics that make them particularly attractive for organized theft : they are generally small in size, have high market value, and are easy to resell on secondary markets. This combination makes them prime targets for organized networks seeking to maximize their profits. According to a NRF report on the impact of retail theft, 67% of retailers surveyed report the involvement of transnational criminal groups in thefts experienced over the past year. It is therefore essential to pay particular attention to these items to deter attempts.

Among the most sought-after products, we unsurprisingly find three main categories:

  • Premium spirits and alcohol : Their high value and convenient format make them easy to conceal, making them a lucrative and consistent target.
  • Branded perfumes and cosmetics : Small, expensive, and highly sought after, they easily slip into a bag and their resale value is guaranteed.
  • Razor blades and their refills : A classic case of in-store theft due to their high cost and constant demand.

Everyday consumer products: opportunistic and necessity-driven theft 🧀

Beyond luxury items, many everyday products are also highly sought after by thieves. Theft here is often driven by necessity or simple opportunity, known as opportunistic theft . Although the individual value of these items is lower, their repeated and high-volume theft ultimately represents a considerable loss for retailers. For a more detailed analysis of this phenomenon in supermarkets, check out our article on the top 7 most stolen items in grocery retail. It is crucial not to underestimate the cumulative impact of these thefts on your inventory and revenue.

This category includes sometimes surprising products, but whose theft is logically explained:

  • Cheese and fresh meat : Representing a costly portion of the average basket, they are stolen both for personal consumption and for local resale.
  • Powdered infant formula : An essential and expensive product, its theft is often linked to financial hardship and high demand.
  • Over-the-counter medications : Painkillers, for example, are easy to hide and meet an immediate need.

Electronics and tools: high-surveillance categories ⚡

Hardware and consumer electronics sections are far from spared. They concentrate high-value items that are not only useful in everyday life but also very easy to convert into cash on the secondhand market . Surveillance in these areas must therefore be reinforced to prevent losses. To complete our list of the most sensitive items, here are the latest products to watch closely, whose compact format and high demand make them easy targets for thieves, whether acting on impulse or in an organized manner. The cumulative loss of these items can significantly affect the profitability of a department.

  • Batteries : Essential and small, they often disappear from shelves without being noticed.
  • Power tools : Drills, screwdrivers, and other tools are highly sought after and targeted by specialized thieves.
  • Phone accessories : Chargers, cables, and earphones are perfect targets due to their small size and cost.
  • Energy drinks : Often stolen on impulse, their recurring disappearance represents a notable loss of revenue.

From knowledge to action: proactive strategies to reduce theft ✅

Knowing this list is a first step, but turning it into a concrete strategy is what will make the difference for your revenue. Faced with the steady rise in shoplifting, a proactive, multi-layered approach is key to sustainably securing your stores. Consider reorganizing your shelf layout to position sensitive items in high-visibility areas. Use traditional security solutions such as electronic anti-theft tags or protective cases. However, to go further, innovative AI-powered video analytics solutions can detect suspicious behavior in real time, offering discreet yet effective protection. Some solutions, like Oxania, leverage high-resolution video analysis via dedicated GPUs, capturing details that low-resolution systems miss, a decisive advantage for securing the most targeted shelves.

Training your teams remains your best defense . Attentive staff, trained to spot unusual behavior and provide excellent customer service, have a powerful deterrent effect. At the same time, complementary features such as people counting and heatmaps help identify sensitive areas and peak traffic periods, allowing for better staff deployment on the ground. By combining these measures, you don't just protect your profits: you create a safer environment that is more pleasant for both your employees and your loyal customers.