What's Next for Retail Tech? Experts Weigh In

Retail is racing into the future, and according to Claire’s exec Sean MacCarthy, it’s not just about customer convenience anymore—it’s about real-time, tech-powered transformation. In his article, MacCarthy explains how the pandemic supercharged adoption of digital solutions like BOPIS, curbside pickup, and edge computing, reshaping operations from the sales floor to the cloud. But with that innovation comes responsibility, and MacCarthy warns that without strong data governance, the industry risks undermining the very trust that powers modern retail.

Retail Tech Insights

Retail Leaders Reveal 2025 Strategies: What's on Their Minds?

Retailers are under growing pressure to harness AI and machine learning across their operations—but many are realizing that poor data quality is a roadblock, prompting a renewed focus on foundational data governance in 2024 and beyond. At the same time, looming tariffs are forcing brands to reevaluate sourcing strategies and build more agile supply chains, while assortment planning is becoming more precise, driven by better data and smarter systems. To tie it all together, businesses are tackling internal inefficiencies through tighter integration and organizational streamlining, laying the groundwork for scalable, tech-driven growth.

RETAIL TODAY

Walmart CEO Teases Strategic Shifts: What's Coming Next?

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon has pulled back the curtain on the retail giant’s bold new playbook, centered on AI, drone delivery, and digital twins to supercharge store efficiency and customer convenience. As inflation pressures mount, Walmart is rolling back prices on thousands of items and doubling down on its Walmart+ program to dominate e-commerce. From faster checkouts to futuristic logistics, this is Walmart’s aggressive push to stay ahead of retail’s next big shift.

Irish Star

Surviving Cyberattacks: Why Some Retailers Fail and Others Thrive

A wave of cyberattacks on retailers worldwide has spotlighted the growing vulnerability of the retail sector to ransomware and data breaches, as well as the critical importance of cyber resilience. While Harrods maintained operations with minimal disruption, M&S suffered major fallout, including halted online trading, food waste, and a $795M market value drop, highlighting both operational and reputational consequences. As the Gulf region rapidly embraces digital retail and AI, experts warn that it too is becoming a prime target for cybercriminals, urging companies to prioritize security basics, enforce incident response training, and prepare for evolving regulatory demands.

Bird&Bird

AI-Powered Cameras Take Over Retail: Here's What That Means

The global smart camera market is booming, projected to grow from $45 billion in 2025 to $130 billion by 2035, driven by rising demand for AI-powered surveillance, facial recognition, and smart home security. Industries ranging from manufacturing to healthcare and retail are rapidly adopting smart cameras for real-time analytics, quality control, and behavioral insights, with edge computing and AI integration emerging as key trends. As smart cities and industrial automation expand, and 5G enables faster, low-latency data processing, smart cameras are becoming central to safety, efficiency, and next-gen innovation across sectors.

Security Info Watch

Ladies: Tomorrow's the Day

Join our Editor-in-Chief, Amber Bradley, as she hosts TEDx Speaker Lynne Franklin, a persuasive communication expert and author.  Ladies, this event is FREE for all loss prevention, risk, safety, and solution provider attendees!  Take the time to invest in yourself -- it's only an hour!! 

Retailers Unite: Reno Hosts First-Ever Organized Crime Workshop

The Northern Nevada chapter of the Nevada Organized Retail Crime Association (ORCA) is set to hold its inaugural training workshop on Friday, May 9, beginning at 9:00 a.m.

The event will take place at the Regional Public Safety Training Center, located at 5190 Spectrum Blvd. in Reno.

This workshop will introduce the Northern Nevada ORCA chapter to professionals in loss prevention and asset protection.

The session will focus on how to effectively develop and investigate cases that result in prosecution.

News 2 Nevada

U.S. Retail Shortages 2025: Exact Date Shoppers Will See Empty Shelves Revealed

U.S. retail shortages are about to become a reality for millions of shoppers, in 2025.

Thanks to the escalating trade war and new tariffs under Donald Trump’s economic agenda, stores across the country are bracing for a wave of supply chain delays—and one retail expert has now revealed the exact date shelves could start going bare.

Retail expert Molsen Hart, predicts that the impact will become evident around May 10, 2025. 

M+E

CISOs see roles evolve from backroom to the boardroom

Security Info Watch

OpenEye Cloud Cameras: Your All-In-One Camera Solution

OpenEye’s innovative and powerful line of cloud cameras deliver an all-in-one video solution with onboard recording and dedicated analytics processor, providing all the benefits of OpenEye Web Services (OWS) in a flexible, serverless architecture. 

Cloud cameras allow for infinite scalability, with every camera added to a location bringing its own storage and processing power, letting you seamlessly scale over time with no limitations on channel count or system resources. Locations with existing recorders can also add cloud cameras to expand storage or analytics capabilities, making OWS one of the most flexible deployment architectures on the market. Reduce the burden on IT and operations with automatic software updates that ensure your cloud cameras always have the latest features and cybersecurity patches. Powered by the full capabilities of OWS, cloud cameras support health monitoring, real-time alerting, priority event cloud recording, centralized management, and the latest analytics technology.

OpenEye cloud cameras offer the complete package with onboard recording, AI-based analytics processing, and the cloud connection to OWS to help you secure and scale smart environments.

All-In-One Solution 
A camera, recorder, and AI engine, all in one. OpenEye’s cloud cameras are an easy and affordable solution for installations of one or two cameras, or scalable to hundreds per location. Available in multiple form factors, these dynamic devices store video directly on the camera for enhanced scalability and easier deployment. OWS AI analytics-capable cloud cameras come with a dedicated analytics processor to support the identification of unique events, such as person and vehicle, line crossing, and loitering detection for improved security monitoring around your business. 

Limitless Scalability 
Expand with confidence knowing every camera added to a location brings its own storage and analytics processing power, allowing you to seamlessly scale over time with no limitations on channel count or system resources. OpenEye’s cloud cameras can be deployed in combination with existing security infrastructures or entirely on their own. For preexisting systems, cloud cameras can help add more security coverage across properties without concerns over recording capacity, and for entirely new builds, cloud cameras can be scaled in the hundreds for a complete cloud system.  

Flexible Deployment 
Install cloud cameras as a standalone solution or add to locations with existing recorders to expand camera count or analytics capabilities, making OWS one of the most flexible deployment architectures on the market. Designed for both enterprise-level and small businesses, cloud cameras can be leveraged in a plethora of different ways. For kiosks, pop-up shops, or new additions, cloud cameras can be leveraged as a cost-effective, flexible solution that is quickly and easily deployable. However, the power of these cameras makes them just as impactful a solution for large-scale properties and businesses looking to implement cloud cameras across their organization. 

Amazon makes ‘fundamental leap forward in robotics’ with device having sense of touch

Amazon said it has made a “fundamental leap forward in robotics” after developing a robot with a sense of touch.

The robot will be capable of grabbing about three-quarters of the items in its vast warehouses.

Vulcan will be deployed around the world in the next few years – is designed to help humans sort items for storage and then prepare them for delivery. 

The Guardian

Sacramento man sentenced for role in $38 million catalytic converter theft ring

A Sacramento man was sentenced on Tuesday to 12 years in prison for his part in a $38 million catalytic converter theft ring.

The Department of Justice said 33-year-old Tou Sue Vang of Sacramento was sentenced for transporting thousands of stolen catalytic converters across state lines, along with laundering money and other crimes.

KCRA 3

Gambled Away: Fred Meyer Employee Steals $60K to Feed Addiction

A former Fred Meyer employee who stole more than $60k from the retailer to use for gambling has pleaded guilty to theft, according to the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office.

Stammet worked for Fred Meyer for about two years before she was caught taking cash from a self-checkout station at the Oregon City store in March 2023.

Stammet told police that she stole the money to support her gambling habit.

KATU 2

Robber Returns to Scene of the Crime and Gets Shot by Store Operator

Concealed Nation

Video: Customer Dispute Turns Violent: You Won't Believe What Happened

A Las Vegas cake shop employee says she was attacked by a customer over a disagreement involving a custom cake topper.

The employee, who asked to remain anonymous, said it happened on March 22 while she was working alone at an area cake shop.

She said the customer became upset after seeing the size of the custom cake topper she ordered.

FOX Carolina