Former Executives Sentenced in $1.9 Million Fraud Scheme

Two former executives from a Colorado company have been sentenced for orchestrating a $1.9 million fraud scheme. They submitted fake invoices and diverted company funds for personal gain. The Department of Justice revealed that the fraud spanned years and involved multiple layers of deception. Their sentences include prison time and restitution payments to the victims.

US Attorney's Office

Large-scale Clackamas County retail theft mission arrests 29

A sweeping retail theft operation in Clackamas County led to the arrest of 29 individuals in a single enforcement mission. Law enforcement targeted organized retail crime rings across multiple locations, recovering thousands in stolen merchandise. The operation highlights a growing trend of coordinated theft plaguing retailers. Authorities say the arrests send a clear message to retail criminals.

KOIN

Four O.C. retail thieves were arrested after stealing 9K worth of sunglasses

Four retail thieves were busted in Orange County after stealing over $9,000 worth of designer sunglasses. The suspects hit multiple stores before being caught with the high-end eyewear stashed in their vehicle. Police tracked them down after reviewing surveillance footage and coordinating with loss prevention teams. All four face felony theft charges.

New Santa Ana

Police: 1 dead, 4 people injured after string of late-night shootings in Muncie

A violent night in Muncie left one man in critical condition and four others injured after a string of late-night shootings. The gunfire erupted across multiple locations, sparking a massive police response. Authorities believe the incidents may be connected and are calling on the public for tips. The community remains on edge as the investigation unfolds.

NBC 13

What ever happened to America’s shoplifting crisis?

Retail giants like Home Depot and Target say the shoplifting crisis is far from over—even as headlines cool. Rising theft, organized retail crime, and evolving tactics continue to challenge security efforts. The article explores the lingering impact of the pandemic-era surge in theft and the shifting strategies retailers are using to combat losses. Bottom line: the crisis hasn’t disappeared, it’s just moved out of the spotlight.

CNN

Snitches get... riches!

Yes, it’s across the pond. But the concept? Pure retail wildfire. Thefts are getting worse, violence is reaching a tipping point, and the employees are feeling the strain. The company says it's trying something… anything, to reduce the $25 million it loses each year to theft. And honestly - this might actually be genius.

Why? Because who’s in the store when thefts happen? Shoppers. Who are also sick of it. So why not give them a hand?

I’m not suggesting we deputize customers and put them in dangerous confrontations. Nobody’s asking them to play security guard or chase anyone through the parking lot. But what if they could discretely call out dishonest behavior with their loyalty app? What if you gave them an anonymous way to speak up… and a reason to?

I promise I haven’t lost my good senses, but how is this any different than a neighborhood watch? People looking out for a place they care about. That’s the idea. And maybe it’s not so crazy after all.

No, it’s not a perfect system. There will be hiccups. The technology or the risk might not be scalable. But if your gut reaction is to laugh it off, maybe you’re not thinking against the grain.

Now it’s your turn.
Would this fly at your stores? Or is it already dead in the water?

Let’s find out. Email your view (named or anonymous) to comments@talklpnews.com and we’ll feature it in an upcoming issue of The Retail Rundown.

$1,900 in Fragrances Stolen from Goleta Ulta, 3 Arrested After Freeway Stop

Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s deputies arrested three suspects Friday in connection with a retail theft at Ulta Beauty in the Camino Real Marketplace in Goleta.

Deputies said they recovered nearly $2,000 worth of stolen designer fragrances.

Deputies reported receiving a call around 2:12 p.m. Friday about suspects fleeing the store with stolen cologne and perfume in a red sedan headed toward Highway 101 southbound. Shortly after, deputies spotted the vehicle on the freeway and conducted a traffic stop near the Castillo Street off-ramp in Santa Barbara.

KEYT

Man wounded in shooting at West Anchorage grocery store

A man was shot and wounded at the entrance to a Carrs grocery store in West Anchorage on Sunday, police said Monday.

The shooting was reported just after 8:30 a.m. Sunday at the store on West Northern Lights Boulevard, the Anchorage Police Department said. Officers arriving at the store found a man with a gunshot wound to the upper body, the department said.

The shooting happened in the store’s entryway, according to police spokesperson Gina Romero. The man was taken to the hospital for wounds police described as not life-threatening.

ADN

Locked-up merchandise is driving customers away

KTLA

Avoid Surprise Fees: The Risks of Carts Off Your Property

But when carts leave your property without authorization, they don’t just become lost assets. They become legal liabilities, financial burdens, and environmental concerns. Many retailers underestimate the consequences of cart abandonment, often overlooking local ordinances, hefty fines, and community complaints that follow.

Legal Risks and Local Ordinances

Across the United States, municipalities are cracking down on unattended or abandoned carts. Regulations vary, but the penalties are clear: retailers are held accountable.

Here are just a few examples:

• North Brunswick, NJ: Retailers can face fines of up to $50 in fines per cart if they don’t retrieve impounded carts within 5 business days. Link to full code
• Riverside, CA: Retailers are charged the initial fees for cart retrieval after 3 days of impoundment and then after 3 violations in a 6-month period shall be subject to a fine of $50 per cart. Link to full code
• South Jordan, UT: Shopping carts found on public property may be impounded or removed entirely. Link to full code

Explore additional shopping cart ordinances here.

North Carolina Law Expands Workplace Violence Prevention Act to Address Mass Picketing

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed legislation (Senate Bill (SB) 311, Session Law 2025-71) that expands the state’s Workplace Violence Prevention Act’s (WVPA) definition of “unlawful conduct” to address certain forms of mass picketing.

Employers may now seek civil no-contact orders not only on behalf of individual employees, but also on behalf of the business itself, when the conduct in question affects the workplace. The law took effect immediately.

Ogletree Deakins

3 key takeaways from the 2025 Council of State Retail Associations’ annual conference

Chicago recently hosted the 2025 Council of State Retail Associations’ annual conference. This year’s gathering underscored the invaluable partnership between the National Retail Federation and our colleagues at state retail associations.

The CSRA conference serves as a vital forum where state associations — on the front lines of local retail challenges and opportunities — can meet to share best practices, emerging trends and legislative priorities. It’s a powerful testament to the idea that when we work together, the retail industry succeeds.

NRF

Retail hit hard by jobs cuts in August; CEO exits up 100%

A sharp rise in jobs cuts doesn’t bode well for holiday hiring and it comes amid a surge in CEO exits.

Retailers have eliminated 83,656 jobs this year through August — up 242% from the 24,489 cuts announced during the same period last year, according to a report from global outplacement and business and executive coaching firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

In the month of August alone, retailers cut 3,169 jobs, compared to 1,412 cuts in August 2024.

CSA