Black Friday: A Thief’s Super Bowl

Black Friday’s Dark Side
Black Friday may bring sales, crowds, and early-morning shoppers—but it also brings something else: thieves. According to former NYPD detective Patrick Brosnan, this is the day organized retail criminals plan for all year long. With busy aisles, distracted staff, and high-value merchandise within reach, “Black Friday is their Super Bowl,” he told Fox News. And with nearly 187 million Americans expected to shop between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, the opportunity for theft is enormous.

Organized Retail Crime on the Rise
Shoplifting isn’t what it used to be. Brosnan warns that today’s retail crime rings are highly coordinated operations stretching across state lines. These groups move fast, know exactly which products to target, and resell their stolen goods through sophisticated online marketplaces. The numbers reflect the escalation: according to the National Retail Federation, shoplifting incidents surged 93% between 2019 and 2023, with reported dollar losses jumping 90%. It’s a multibillion-dollar underground industry, and Black Friday is its biggest stage.

The High-Value Targets
Electronics, fragrances, tools, and designer goods top the list of items most likely to be stolen. Brosnan emphasizes the importance of locking up these products—especially during peak shopping hours. But even with increased policing around major retail hubs, there are limits. Chaotic aisles and limited staffing create perfect cover for thefts that may only take seconds.

Consumers Ultimately Pay the Price
While retailers take the initial hit, everyday shoppers feel the long-term cost. As WJAX reports, stores often raise prices to make up for stolen inventory—meaning items on the shelf cost more because others were taken illegally. As Black Friday crowds returned in force, retailers, shoppers, and law enforcement all face the same reality: holiday sales now come with heightened risk.