A bipartisan group of lawmakers has introduced the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025, proposing a coordinated national response to the growing issue of organised retail crime (ORC). Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nevada), along with Representative Dave Joyce (R-Ohio) and several co-sponsors from both parties, are backing the bill, which has received support from leading retail industry associations.
Proposed center to Coordinate Federal Efforts
The legislation would establish a federal Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center to support collaboration between federal, state and local law enforcement and the retail industry. The center would focus on information-sharing and supporting investigations and prosecutions involving organised criminal networks targeting the retail sector.
The measure comes amid continued concern about organised criminal activities affecting both physical and online retail environments. These include large-scale store theft, cargo theft, gift card fraud, and the resale of stolen goods through various channels.
Industry Support and Reported Impact
Retail industry groups, including the National Retail Federation (NRF) and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), have expressed support for the bill, citing increased risks associated with ORC for businesses, employees and customers.
“ORC is occurring across the retail enterprise — supply chains, bricks-and-mortar stores, warehouses and online — with stolen products sold for a profit, oftentimes to fund other crimes,” said David French, Executive Vice President of Government Relations at NRF. “This legislation is an important step to help prevent ORC from infiltrating local communities across the country.”
“Organized criminal enterprises are endangering communities across the country through brazen and violent criminal acts that put retail employees and customers in harm’s way,” said Michael Hanson, Senior Executive Vice President of Public Affairs at RILA. “Whether stealing mass quantities of products from retail stores or hijacking consumer goods throughout the supply chain, these gangs are wreaking havoc.”
The criminal networks are also reported to use proceeds from retail theft to support broader illicit activities, including human trafficking, gun smuggling, narcotics, and terrorism, according to Hanson.
Retail leaders are urging swift congressional approval of the measure. “Retail leaders are encouraged that there is bipartisan, bicameral momentum to holistically dismantle sophisticated criminal rings that are targeting retailers and communities across the country,” said Sarah Gilmore, RILA Senior Director, Government Affairs. “RILA is eager to garner additional support and get this critical piece of legislation signed into law.”
According to NRF’s The Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2024 report, 73% of surveyed retailers observed an increase in violence and aggression among shoplifters over the previous year. Additionally, 94% of respondents said federal legislation is necessary to address the issue effectively.
