The leaders of major American retailers sent a letter to Congress earlier this month demanding the federal government help crackdown on “organized retail crime” as thieves use “smash-and-grab robberies” to steal millions in merchandise this holiday season.
The letter, dated Dec. 9, states:
“As millions of Americans have undoubtedly seen on the news in recent weeks and months, retail establishments of all kinds have seen a significant uptick in organized crime in communities across the nation. While we constantly invest in people, policies, and innovative technology to deter theft, criminals are capitalizing on the anonymity of the Internet and the failure of certain marketplaces to verify their sellers. This trend has made retail businesses a target for increasing theft, hurt legitimate businesses who are forced to compete against unscrupulous sellers, and has greatly increased consumer exposure to unsafe and dangerous counterfeit products.
“It is time for Congress to modernize our consumer safety laws so consumers, retail employees, and businesses are not targets of organized retail crime and dangerous counterfeit products. Implementing basic transparency and verification protocols is essential and will finally expose criminals who are selling consumers stolen, fake, and dangerous products. We appreciate your support and timely action on this needed legislation. We look forward to working with you and your staff to help protect communities, families, and consumers.”
The CEOs of Target, Best Buy, CVS are among 20 retail leaders calling on Congress to crack down on a surge of brazen thefts to deter criminals from reselling stolen merchandise https://t.co/LUSiiiPlui pic.twitter.com/Tv62ybp3at
— Bloomberg Quicktake (@Quicktake) December 10, 2021
The letter is signed by the bosses of Best Buy, Target, CVS, Foot Locker, Home Depot, Levi’s, Walgreens, Petco, and others.
