A former detective from the NYPD robbery unit states that the Black Friday theft threat has transformed a holiday weekend into a “Super Bowl” for shoplifters, with retail robbery evolving into a “multibillion-dollar industry.”
According to a 2024 National Retail Federation report, retail theft soared by 93% in 2023 compared to 2019, and dollar losses from shoplifting surged by 90%. The organization projects that 186.9 million Americans will shop between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday.
Patrick Brosnan, a former NYPD Detective, told Fox News Digital that organized retail theft is no longer just “petty shoplifting,” noting, “it’s a completely different scenario.”
Brosnan indicated that organized retail theft has developed into a “highly lucrative business” and is growing “more rapidly than law enforcement can keep up.”
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Brosnan stated, “Organized retail crime in 2025 is no longer just teenagers stealing T-shirts. These are sophisticated theft rings operating across state lines, using widely networked online marketplaces to resell goods. They are a sophisticated, highly profitable, multibillion-dollar operation.”
Law enforcement agencies throughout the U.S. frequently increase patrols on Black Friday to deter theft, including those in major cities such as Nashville, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and others.
Brosnan likened Black Friday for shoplifters to one of the country’s biggest sporting events as millions of Americans visit stores.
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“Black Friday is essentially their Super Bowl. Stores are packed, making it easy to blend in. And unlike other times, valuable items are on display. Staff is stretched thin, and heavy traffic provides cover for escape,” he explained. “Law enforcement faces significant challenges. It’s far from a typical day.”
The former NYPD detective, who established Brosnan Risk Consultants and advises major retailers, mentioned that he has advised clients to secure “high-value” items such as electronics, perfumes, and luxury goods. He added that stores should also think about locking up their tools.
While Brosnan believes retailers are “doing their best” to prevent theft, it’s a “difficult situation” that is “worsening.”
“If you want to attract customers, people need to come in. But when bad actors mix with good people, your options are limited,” he said. “I must say, these shoplifters arrive like a storm, highly coordinated, focused, and knowledgeable about the exact location of the items they want and how to obtain them, and what steps they need to take.”
