You Won’t Believe What’s Being Stolen Most From Target – And One Of Them Might Surprise You

Shoplifting isn't just a minor nuisance for those of us regular shoppers - it is a billion-dollar crisis.

LendingTree survey revealed that more than one in five Americans have admitted that they have shoplifted at some point.  Inflation isn't helping calm those numbers, either.  90% of shoplifters have confessed that when prices rise, that is one of the biggest reasons why they steal.

Grocery stores and department stores are the easiest to steal from.  In fact, at one point, it was reported that 4% of the cheese on store shelves at a grocery store gets picked up by someone with sticky fingers.  (Yes, stolen).  Globally, cheese is still the top item at grocery stores that people are stealing the most.

Target Is Losing Nearly $500 Million A Year To Theft

It isn't a secret that the Minnesota-based Target company is struggling financially.  Shopping habits of consumers have changed and Target is hopeful that a new dress code policy for its employees will help bring customers back to their stores.

READ MORE: New Dress Code Policy For Target Employees Starting This Summer

One big change that we've also noticed these past few years is more and more items being locked behind glass.  The reason is simple - in 2023, Target stores saw a 120% increase of violent theft incidents from the previous year.  The CEO also publicly stated that retail "shrink" cost the company almost $500 million in one year.

$500 million.

15 Items That Are Stolen the Most From Target Stores in Minnesota

When you look at that $500 million "shrink" amount that Target reported, some of that is fraud, a fraction is employee error, but a chunk is also theft.

Why You Really Don't Want To Steal From Target Stores

A word of warning.  And I don't say this to try to "change your ways".  I say this because I used to help manage stores affiliated with Target.

We knew who the regular shoplifters were and our security team knew their names and had files on them.  And there were cameras in places I, as a manager, didn't even know about.

Target is the one store you do NOT want to shoplift from.  Here's why...

Target will let you steal.  The reason...they want you to rack up a tab so they can charge you with grand larceny rather than a petty theft citation.

Essentially, if you steal at any Target, anywhere in the country, they're quite possibly building up a case against you. So if by chance you have the urge to shoplift, keep yourself safe and avoid Target at all costs. - Paypath.com

 

If you haven't been caught yet and you think you are getting away with it, think again.  Target is just letting your file get thicker and they will use their top-rated forensic labs to build a case against you.