16 • July | August 2026 • abasto.com BY VIOLETA MONTES DE OCA T he U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Combating Orga- nized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), a move hailed by the grocery industry as a critical step in addressing the surge of or- ganized theft. Leading trade groups, in- cluding the National Grocers Association (NGA) and FMI – The Food Industry Asso- ciation, praised the legislation for its po- tential to protect customers, secure supply chains, and curb the rising costs passed on to consumers. Strengthening Federal Enforcement The 2025 Act significantly expands fede- ral authority to prosecute criminal organi- zations targeting retailers. Key provisions include: Aggregated Prosecution: Authorities can now prosecute based on the total va- lue of stolen goods accumulated over a 12-month period, rather than individual incidents. Money Laundering & Forfeiture: The bill classifies retail and supply chain theft as “predicate offenses” for money laun- dering, allowing the government to seize property and assets obtained through the- se crimes. Gift Card Oversight : Federal money laundering statutes will now include the illicit use of prepaid cards and gift cards. A Centralized Response: The bill es- tablishes a coordination center within the Department of Homeland Security to synchronize federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts. Industry Leaders Speak Out For independent grocers operating on “ra- zor-thin margins,” the passage of this bill is seen as a lifeline for “Main Street” busi- nesses. “Organized retail crime is not a vic- timless crime. It threatens employees, rai- ses costs for consumers, and disrupts lo- cal businesses,” said Stephanie Johnson, NGA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs. “This legislation provides stron- ger tools to help law enforcement crack down on sophisticated theft operations.” The NGA, which formally supported the bill in a letter to the House, emphasi- zed that the average grocery profit margin of 1.5% makes it nearly impossible for independent stores to absorb the costs of increased security and loss prevention. Jennifer Hatcher, Chief Public Policy Officer at FMI, noted that the timing of the vote coincides with the industry’s annual Asset Protection & Grocery Resilience Conference. “FMI applauds the House for this bipar- tisan action,” Hatcher stated. “This legis- lation will help ensure the safety of cus- tomers and associates while reducing the impact of theft on grocery prices. We call on the Senate to pass CORCA in short or- der to send it to President Trump’s desk.” According to the National Retail Fede- ration’s “The Impact of Theft & Violence 2025” report, more than half of retai- lers surveyed reported increases in pho- ne scams (70%), digital and ecommerce frauds (55%), shoplifting and merchandi- se theft (52%), and cargo or supply chain thefts (50%) being conducted by ORC groups over the past 12 months. Following the House victory, the bill moves to the Senate. If passed, it will head to the White House for the President’s signature, marking the most significant federal effort to date to dismantle the infrastructure of or- ganized retail theft. Grocers Applaud House Approval of Retail Crime Act WHAT’S NEXT? • IN THE NEWS