NRF Getting More Aggressive Against Rise in 'Smash-and-Grab' Crimes

The National Retail Federation will continue convening with law enforcement and work with the Biden administration and Congress on a “variety of proposed legislative measures” on the recent spate of mass “smash and grab” thefts across the country that are “incredibly challenging” for retailers, said CEO Matthew Shay on a Tuesday call. “I can’t tell you how concerning this is for our members,” he said, and NRF will take a “much more aggressive position" on the events, he said. The trade association convened a group of members Monday to address the trend and has “hundreds” of people participating in calls about the incidents, Shay said. NRF wants more resources and "greater coordination between federal, state and local authorities,” Shay said. Efforts to combat the crimes have been stymied by factors including “different approaches by different prosecutors” and by a reluctance of law enforcement to prosecute in some cases. Shay wants involvement by DOJ and federal law enforcement.