Convenience stores are the most commonly robbed businesses
As an avid gamer and content creator focused on the latest gaming news and releases, I don‘t often dive deep into analyses of real-world crime statistics. However, when asked what kinds of stores get robbed the most, some intriguing data reveals that convenience stores are far and away the most frequent targets.
Convenience Stores Face Highest Risk
According to recent Bureau of Justice Statistics from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), convenience stores faced substantially higher rates of robbery than any other retail category between 2014-2018. The robbery rate for convenience stores averaged a whopping 52.2 per 1,000 stores over that 5-year stretch [1].
No other retail segment came close, as the chart below shows:
| Store Type | Average Annual Robbery Rate per 1,000 Stores |
|---|---|
| Convenience Stores | 52.2 |
| Gas Stations | 14.2 |
| Grocery Stores | 5.9 |
| Clothing Stores | 3.8 |
So what makes convenience stores such a hot target? Security consultants highlight factors like 24/7 operations, solo employee shifts, and easy escape routes to get away [2]. Sadly, the inherent vulnerability of that convenience store business model places added risks on often lower-wage workers just trying to earn a paycheck.
Frequency Linked to Alcohol, Tobacco, Lottery Items
Industry trackers note the most commonly stolen items in convenience store robberies tend to be cigarettes, alcohol, lottery tickets, and cash itself from registers [3]. The highly resellable nature of those goods on black markets, combined with convenience stores keeping small amounts of cash accessible in registers, points to criminals motivated by both usage value and profit potential.
Some convenience chains have shifted inventory for in-demand items like tobacco products and lottery tickets behind counters. While that may frustrate late night shoppers looking for a quick six pack or scratch ticket in my own experience, it does force robber interactions with employees more likely to trigger security alerts.
Having late night attended register access for the most robbery-enticing items adds a layer of general staff oversight as well. Major convenience/gas chains like Wawa have also invested heavily in security tech upgrades across locations, adding backup power generation for constant camera footage along with audio monitoring systems [4].
Still inherently designed for fast in-and-out access though, convenience stores have limited options to significantly harden security. And low profit margins make major investments unlikely absent deeper industry changes.
Nighttimes Hours See Four Times More Robberies
Analyzing when robberies occur reveals some expected trends. While fewer overall incidents happen during 6am-9am store operating hours, the 9pm-midnight window shows robbery rates nearly four times higher [5]. Far fewer potential witnesses on streets coupled with stores staying open late drives after dark risks way up.
Add in suspected intoxicated perpetrators and less coherent situational responses, and human security capacities get compromised badly at night. Having some doubles coverage for closing hours seems smart, though I know that strains finances for franchisees already operating on thin margins.
Perhaps local ordinances limiting late night alcohol sales specifically might drive down risks some? But that feels like an overreach restricting store freedom meeting local demand. Complex balancing act for sure in keeping night staff safer.
Robbery Portrayals in Gaming
Now tying back to my core gaming passion, I‘m reminded how many iconic game series feature convenience store robberies as key plot points or gameplay moments!
- Grand Theft Auto – convenience store hold ups and robberies span the entire franchise
- Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War – early 1980s mission robbing a convenience store
- Saints Row series – convenience store hits as side hustles for players
- Spider-Man Miles Morales game – bodega robbery missions to take down local thugs
Obvious appeal for game designers that convenience store contexts offer easy to grasp stakes around money and universal familiarity. Plus allows weaponizing environment with displays, aisles, counters, etc for action gameplay.
And some story commentary around desperation, crime born of need vs pure greed calculations. Playing through the robber POV in games maybe breeds some empathy for societal failings contributing to these real world crimes.
Hardening Security: Expensive But Necessary?
Reviewing the crime data and gaming landscape, I keep coming back to the security vulnerability question for convenience store owners. Workers face disproportionate risks handling late night robbery threats relative to retail overall.
Cost is clearly a barrier though to major security upgrades, especially factoring 24/7 operations. Perhaps some tax incentives or local security grants might help offset expenses?
Advanced cameras, alarm triggers, remote monitoring, and added overnight staffing don‘t come cheap. But may ultimately pay back both financially and morally in better protected employees and crime deterrence. Here‘s hoping innovations in affordable technologies can better arm and shield convenience store owners and workers for the future.
References
- Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Crime Victimization Survey
- Loss Prevention Media
- National Association of Convenience Stores
- The Shelby Report
- FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program
