When Americans walk into a grocery store, pharmacy, or department store, they expect to find everyday essentials neatly arranged on shelves. But behind the scenes, retailers face a persistent problem: merchandise disappearing without payment.
Surprisingly, shoplifters don’t always target expensive electronics or luxury handbags. Everyday necessities, including groceries, deodorant, laundry detergent, and baby formula, are also frequent targets.
Meanwhile, the National Retail Federation reported that shoplifting incidents among surveyed retailers declined 12.4% in 2025 compared with 2024. Despite that improvement, theft remains an important concern for businesses.
The following 10 products and product groups have been identified in retail security research as common theft targets. They are not presented as a precise national ranking because no comprehensive public database ranks every stolen product nationwide.
Meat Is a Surprisingly Common Theft Target
Expensive cuts of beef, packaged steaks, and other meat products are among the merchandise retailers report losing to theft.
Meat can represent a substantial portion of a household’s grocery bill, making its price an important consideration for shoppers.
However, theft isn’t always motivated by personal financial hardship. Organized retail theft can also involve products intended for illegal resale.
Retail security research identifies meat as one of the food products targeted by organized theft operations.
Its appearance in theft reports demonstrates that grocery departments are not immune to the problems traditionally associated with clothing and electronics stores.
Laundry Detergent Keeps Disappearing From Stores
Laundry detergent might seem like an unusual product to steal, but it has appeared repeatedly in retail theft research.
It is an everyday household necessity, and some branded products cost relatively more.
The National Retail Federation’s 2021 Retail Security Survey identified laundry detergent among merchandise targeted by organized retail crime groups.
The attraction is not necessarily glamorous. Household products have practical value because consumers must replace them regularly.
This makes detergent an example of how ordinary necessities can become targets for theft and illicit resale.
Cosmetics Can Be Expensive Purchases
Makeup is another frequently reported target in retail theft.
Foundations, concealers, lipsticks, and other beauty products vary widely in price, especially when shoppers choose premium brands.
For some offenders, the motivation may be to obtain desirable products without paying. In organized theft cases, resale value can also play a role.
The National Retail Federation identifies health and beauty merchandise among categories affected by organized retail crime.
While retailers have introduced additional security measures around certain products, legitimate shoppers may find those restrictions inconvenient when making routine purchases.
Deodorant Is Another Everyday Product Thieves Target
Deodorant is hardly a luxury purchase, yet it has appeared in National Retail Federation surveys of merchandise targeted by organized theft groups.
Its everyday usefulness may help explain the interest.
Unlike occasional purchases, personal care products need regular replacement. That creates ongoing consumer demand.
For individuals struggling financially, the expense of personal hygiene essentials may be difficult to manage.
For organized thieves, however, the motivation may be financial gain through resale rather than personal use.
Razor Blades Are More Valuable Than They Look
A package of replacement razor cartridges can cost considerably more than shoppers expect.
Razor blades have repeatedly appeared in retail security surveys, including the NRF’s historical research into organized retail crime.
Their popularity as everyday grooming products helps explain why they attract attention.
Unlike expensive designer purchases, shaving supplies serve a routine purpose for millions of Americans.
Retailers must balance protecting these products with avoiding unnecessarily frustrating shopping.
Baby Formula Is a Major Concern for Retailers
Infant formula is among the more troubling products in theft research.
Baby formula is an essential purchase for many families, and parents may need to buy it regularly.
The National Retail Federation has repeatedly identified formula as a product targeted by organized retail theft.
Some incidents may involve individuals experiencing financial hardship, while organized operations may target merchandise for illegal resale.
The distinction matters because not every theft has the same motivation.
Regardless of the reason, stolen inventory creates challenges for retailers trying to maintain reliable supplies for paying customers.
Alcohol Remains a Frequent Target
Beer, wine, and liquor are common in retail theft reporting, and premium alcoholic beverages appear in organized crime surveys.
Their commercial value and customer demand can make them attractive to offenders seeking financial gain.
The NRF’s retail security research has specifically identified beverage products, especially alcohol, among categories affected by organized theft.
However, identifying alcohol as a frequent target does not mean every liquor store faces the same risks.
The problem varies by location, store type, and other circumstances.
Energy Drinks Are an Unexpected Favorite
Energy drinks might seem like an unlikely addition to a list of frequently stolen merchandise.
Yet they appear in multiple retail security reports alongside more expensive consumer goods.
Their widespread availability and regular consumer demand may help explain why they are targeted.
Although one beverage may cost relatively little, repeated theft of merchandise can create meaningful losses for retailers.
Energy drinks demonstrate that shoplifting isn’t restricted to products with large individual price tags.
Designer Clothing Attracts Organized Theft Groups
Expensive clothing is among the most recognizable categories associated with retail theft.
Designer apparel, branded shirts, and other fashionable garments have appeared prominently in National Retail Federation surveys.
Clothing can appeal to individuals who want products they cannot afford.
For organized theft groups, recognizable brands may also offer resale opportunities.
The potential financial return helps explain why apparel remains a recurring category in retail crime research.
Denim Jeans Are Regularly Reported Stolen
Jeans deserve separate attention because denim has specifically appeared in historical organized retail crime findings.
Although jeans are everyday clothing, some branded pairs cost a lot.
That makes them attractive to both people buying for personal use and groups targeting merchandise for resale.
Retailers have identified denim as one of the apparel categories affected by organized theft.
It is another reminder that ordinary wardrobe staples can carry significant commercial value.
Why Americans Should Pay Attention to Retail Theft
Shoplifting is not new, but the reasons behind it are complicated.
Financial struggles can contribute to individual theft, while organized criminal networks may target merchandise primarily for profit.
The National Retail Federation’s 2026 findings suggest that retailers are making progress in reducing shoplifting incidents. Nevertheless, repeat offenders and organized retail crime remain persistent concerns.
The consequences can extend beyond missing merchandise. Businesses may invest in additional security, change how products are displayed, or introduce restrictions that make shopping less convenient.
Importantly, retail losses do not automatically translate into a specific price increase for consumers. Store pricing depends on numerous factors, including competition, operating expenses, and business strategy.
Perhaps the most surprising lesson is that thieves do not necessarily target the most glamorous merchandise. Sometimes, the ordinary products Americans buy every week are the ones retailers work hardest to protect.
