New research has revealed the states most likely to shoplift during the Christmas shopping season, with Arizona ranking third.
The study, conducted by QR Code Generator, used data from the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer to assess the number of shoplifting incidents in each state over a 12-month period, and compared these figures to the population of each state to reveal which states have the highest shoplifting rates per 100,000 residents, and those most likely to shoplift while doing their Christmas shopping.
The average shoplifting rate across all 50 states is 380.4 incidents per 100,000 people.
Arizona ranks third overall, with 587.83 shoplifting cases per 100,000 residents, 55% above the national average. March is the month when shoplifting happens the most in the state, and the 30-39 age group is responsible for the largest share of incidents.
The top ten states with the highest shoplifting rates
| Rank | State | Cases of shoplifting per 100,000 people | Percentage below or above the national average |
| 1 | New Mexico | 777.97 | 105% |
| 2 | Oregon | 675.98 | 78% |
| 3 | Arizona | 587.83 | 55% |
| 4 | Delaware | 581.84 | 53% |
| 5 | New York | 558.55 | 47% |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 542.66 | 43% |
| 7 | Vermont | 541.88 | 42% |
| 8 | Virginia | 528.50 | 39% |
| 9 | Maryland | 510.21 | 34% |
| 10 | Tennessee | 469.80 | 24% |
Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator, has commented, “July is the most common month for shoplifting nationwide, followed by May and then December. December’s position in the top three is telling, with states like Vermont, Colorado, North Carolina, Wyoming, California and Alabama seeing their peak this month. The holiday season is an expensive period, and increased financial strain may push some people into more desperate situations.
“Shoplifting can have a huge effect on businesses, and it impacts small businesses far more severely than large chains. For independent retailers, even a small rise in theft can be a significant loss for owners. By understanding when and where shoplifting is most likely to occur, communities and retailers can take more targeted steps to prevent it.”
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