Preliminary Findings from the Latest National Retail Security Survey Find U.S. Retailers Lost More than $34 Billion to Theft in 2011

NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Retail theft, including shoplifting, employee theft, administrative error and vendor fraud is down, according to an annual survey recently conducted by the University of Florida with a funding grant from ADT Commercial Security, soon to be Tyco Integrated Security, the industry’s leading security systems integrator. The National Retail Security Survey 2011 report found that theft as a percentage of revenue was 1.41 percent, down from 1.49 percent in the previous findings. This calculates to an approximate $2.6 billion decline in losses.

“Our goal as a security integrator is to provide the most cost-efficient and highly-effective security solutions to retailers to better protect their customers, employees and assets”

"This year’s decrease in retail theft is evidence retailers are implementing and updating loss prevention strategies in order to reduce shrinkage,” said University of Florida criminologist Richard Hollinger, Ph.D., who conducted the survey. “Furthermore, the decrease can be attributed to the enhancements and improvements in both loss prevention technologies and programs.”

Of the four categories of shrink or losses, employee theft constitutes the largest portion at 43.9 percent or approximately $15.1 billion. Shoplifting, at 35.7% or $12.3 billion, is the second largest area of lost profits with administrative error and vendor fraud accounting for the balance.

“The decrease in retail theft can be a direct result of the widespread investment in technologies and integrated solutions by retailers,” said Michael Creedon, vice president, National Accounts for Retail at ADT Commercial Security, soon to be Tyco Integrated Security. “Clearly security solutions are proving to be a solid investment and have saved retailers billions of dollars in losses every year. There are a number of technologies and services available today that can help retailers continue to prevent theft, decrease shrinkage and track merchandise effectively.”

According to Creedon, retailers are relying more on efficient inventory and traffic technologies, such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, advanced video surveillance systems and analytics and more robust data collection and reporting solutions. New and enhanced technologies also allow retailers to better understand the consumer and the ever changing buying patterns along with trends in merchandise theft.

“Our goal as a security integrator is to provide the most cost-efficient and highly-effective security solutions to retailers to better protect their customers, employees and assets,” said Creedon. “Actively safe-guarding merchandise allows retailers to keep costs down and pass that cost-savings along to consumers. With the right tools in place, retailers are able to identify the cause of theft, take action and stop and limit shrink.”

About ADT North America Commercial Security

A business unit of Tyco International Ltd., ADT North America Commercial Security is North America’s leading security system integrator, providing security and business optimization services to 500,000 customers. Headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla., ADT NA Commercial Security has more than 10,000 employees throughout North America. For more information, visit www.adtbusiness.com.

About Tyco International

Tyco International Ltd. (NYSE: TYC) is a diversified company that provides vital products and services to customers around the world. Tyco is a leading provider of security products and services, fire protection and detection products and services, and industrial valves and controls. Tyco had 2011 revenue of more than $17 billion and has more than 100,000 employees worldwide. More information on Tyco can be found at www.tyco.com.

Information in this article is current as of June 21, 2012, the publication date. This document is for general informational purposes only. ADT makes no warranties express or implied regarding the content or information contained in this document. The views and opinions expressed in this document and/or any materials referenced within are solely those of the author(s), and not of ADT, its employees, agents, or affiliated companies. Nothing in these materials is designed or intended to be used or construed as legal advice.

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