NGA Applauds House Passage of Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (H.R. 2853)

• May 13, 2026

Washington D.C. - The National Grocers Association (NGA) applauds the passage of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (H.R. 2853), important bipartisan legislation to help address the growing threat of organized retail theft impacting independent grocers and communities across the country.

"Organized retail crime is not a victimless crime. It threatens employees, raises costs for consumers, disrupts local businesses, and puts additional pressure on independent grocers who navigate success on razor-thin margins," said Stephanie Johnson, NGA senior vice president and head of government affairs. "Main Street grocers are essential community businesses, and this legislation provides stronger tools and coordination to help law enforcement crack down on sophisticated theft operations targeting retailers and supply chains."

The legislation strengthens coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement and establishes a new organized retail and supply chain crime coordination center to more effectively combat organized theft rings.

"NGA appreciates lawmakers for recognizing the serious impact organized retail crime is having on independent grocers, their employees, and the communities they serve," said Max Wengroff, senior manager of government affairs, NGA.

NGA sent a letter to the U.S. House in support of the bill.

"In an industry where average profit margins are often around 1.5%, independent grocers face challenges in absorbing the rapidly rising costs associated with organized theft, store security, and loss prevention. Beyond the financial losses, organized retail crime creates serious safety concerns for workers and shoppers and places additional strain on Main Street businesses working every day to serve their communities," the letter reads.

Click here to view the full letter.

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About the National Grocers Association

NGA is the national trade association representing the retail and wholesale community grocers that comprise the independent sector of the food distribution industry. An independent retailer is a privately owned or controlled food retail company operating a variety of formats. The independent grocery sector is accountable for about 1.2 percent of the nation's overall economy and is responsible for generating more than $250 billion in sales, 1.1 million jobs, $39 billion in wages and $36 billion in taxes. NGA members include retail and wholesale grocers located in every congressional district across the country, as well as state grocers' associations, manufacturers and service suppliers.