Costs of Organized Retail Theft and Action Steps To Combat Problem Are Focus of New FMI Training Program

WASHINGTON, DC — February 15, 2006 — Combating organized retail theft (ORT) and its financial and social costs are the focus of a new Food Marketing Institute (FMI) DVD training program released today.

Organized retail theft is one of the most serious retail security challenges, costing food retailers up to $30 billion a year. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has linked ORT to   organized criminal gangs, including terrorists.

“Effective training of retail associates is imperative if we are to protect consumers from unsafe and counterfeit foods, drugs and other products stolen and distributed by organized retail theft gangs,” stated FMI President and CEO Tim Hammonds. “This new program explains how theft rings operate and suggests actions retailers can take to address the problem.”

Organized shoplifting rings target popular, high-value items such as over-the-counter (OTC) medications, infant formula, razor blades, camera film, batteries, videos, DVDs and smoking-cessation products. A major problem for consumers is that stolen products are often mishandled, diluted and sold past their expiration date.

The DVD explores the origins and ramifications of ORT, as well as efforts to address the problem. The program features:

• Interviews with loss prevention experts, law enforcement personnel and former criminals about how organized retail theft works.

• Security video footage of organized retail theft crimes and explanations of how they differ from standard shoplifting.

• A visual review of the products most frequently stolen.

• A review of legislative and other efforts being taken to combat organized retail theft.

FMI leads the Coalition Against Organized Retail Theft, which works with retailers, manufacturers and other industry associations to combat the crime and to raise awareness about its effects on society. Last month, President Bush signed into law legislation endorsed by the Coalition to establish an FBI Organized Retail Theft Task Force, develop a national database to track ORT crimes and allocate $5 million a year to fund law enforcement training.

To purchase the DVD, or for more information, please visit the FMI Store at www.fmi.org.