The annual Retail Security Survey from the National Retail Federation (NRF) shows stores suffered a record $112.1 billion in losses last year, up about $18 billion from a previous high of $94 billion in 2021.

The survey notes that thefts — both external and internal — make up about 65% of what retailers refer to as shrink, or lost inventory.

The NRF says retailers are seeing “unprecedented” levels of theft and rampant crime in their stores. More than two-thirds of respondents say they are seeing higher levels of violence and aggression from thieves than the previous year.

[That’s a 19.2% increase in losses in a single year, an astounding jump. Given the thin margins on which most retailers operate, especially discount stores like Target, it’s small wonder that they are now closing their highest-risk stores for major theft losses. To try to keep those stores open risks the survival of the entire chain at this rate of increase for losses. — Ed]