Lindsey Nicholson | Universal Images Group | Getty ImagesRetailers have zeroed in on organized retail theft as a top priority, as more and more companies blame crime for lower profits.
Those mentions could flare up again as a flurry of retail companies will report financial results starting next week.
Many of them described organized theft as an industrywide problem that's largely out of their control.
While organized theft is a real concern, it is nearly impossible to verify the claims retailers make about it.
Target has repeatedly said organized retail theft is fueling its inventory losses.
Persons:
Lindsey Nicholson, Foot, Raphael Duguay, Duguay, Mark Cohen, Cohen, Bradlees
Organizations:
Universal, Getty, Retailers, U.S . Securities, Exchange Commission, Yale University School of Management, Columbia Business School, Sears Canada, Lazarus Department, National Retail Federation, Walgreens, Ucg, . Census, FBI, CNBC, Target
Locations:
Queens , New York