The Prevalence of Organized Retail Crime in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study investigates level of existence of organized retail crime in supermarkets of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The store managers, security managers and general were asked about types of retail crimes occur in stores. Three independent variables were related report of organized retail theft. The independent variables are: 1) supermarket profile (volume, location, standard and type of store), 2) social physical environment of store (maintenance, cleanness and overall organizational cooperation), 3) security techniques and loss prevention electronics techniques used. The theoretical framework of this study based on social disorganization theory. This study concluded that organized retail theft, in specific, organized theft is moderately apparent in Riyadh stores. The general result showed that environment of stores has an effect on prevalence of organized retail theft with relation gender of thieves, age groups, working shift, type of stolen items as well as number of thieves in one case. Among other reasons, some factors of organized theft are: economic pressure of customers based on location of store. The dealing of theft also was investigated have a clear picture of stores dealing with organized retail theft. The result showed that mostly, thieves sent without any action and sometimes given written warning. Very few cases dealt with by police. There are other factors in study can be looked up in text. This study suggests solving problem of organized theft; first, is the well distributing of duties and responsibilities between especially for security purposes. Second Installation of strong security system and Making well-designed store layout. Third is giving training for general employees and to give periodically security skills training of employees. There are other suggestions in study can be looked up in text.