07/22/2026
PACE: Syed AdnanCouncilmember Nantasha WilliamsCouncil Member Linda LeeAssemblyman Phil RamosCarrié SolagesAssemblymember Michaelle SolagesMarc Andrew SotoNajmussaqib SaiyedProgressive American Community EmpowermentNassau County Veterans Service AgencyNassau County Office of Minority AffairsNYPD Muslim Officers SocietyPakistani American Law Enforcement Society - PALS
By Megan Cerullo
July 21, 2026 / 3:20 PM EDT / CBS News
The CBS News report highlights a troubling trend: more Americans are admitting to shoplifting, and many say rising living costs are the primary reason. The findings come from a recent LendingTree survey of U.S. consumers.
Some of the key findings include:
* 30% of respondents said they had shoplifted this year.
* About 90% of those who admitted stealing said inflation, higher prices, or broader financial hardship played a major role in their decision.
* Common reasons included:
* Everyday necessities becoming unaffordable.
* Difficulty making ends meet.
* Trying to save money on basic purchases.
* Food, household necessities, and other essential items were among the most commonly stolen categories.
What does this mean?
The survey reflects how many households feel financially squeezed. Other recent CBS polling has similarly found that many Americans believe their incomes are not keeping pace with inflation and remain concerned about the cost of food, housing, and everyday expenses.
At the same time, it’s important to distinguish between:
* Self-reported survey responses, which measure what respondents say they have done.
* Official crime statistics, which track reported incidents and can show different trends depending on the jurisdiction.
The survey suggests that economic stress is a major factor behind some retail theft, but it does not establish that inflation is the sole cause of rising shoplifting or explain every incident. Retail theft is also influenced by factors such as organized retail crime, store security practices, local enforcement, and broader social conditions.
