Retail CEOs to Congress: Help Us with Crime Wave

Amid a widely reported surge in organized retail theft, 20 CEOs of leading retailers signed a letter asking Congressional leadership for help in stemming the crime wave.

The letter – sent by the Retail Industry Leaders Association – specifically asks lawmakers to pass the INFORM Consumers Act, which RILA says “will modernize our consumer protection laws to safeguard families and communities from the sale of illicit products.”

The signatories represent diverse retail segments and include the chief executives of Best Buy, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Home Depot, CVS and Kroger.

The letter reads:

“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.”

Read the full letter here.