Most retail executives expect Trump to walk back ‘reciprocal’ tariffs, survey finds

Retail leaders anticipate that former President Trump will reverse or reduce many of the tariffs that have burdened supply chains and driven up costs. Executives cite recent rhetoric and past trade patterns as indicators that easing tariffs could be a key part of Trump's economic agenda. The potential shift is already influencing business planning and global sourcing strategies across the retail sector.

CNBC

Nominee For OSHA Chief David Keeling Testifies Before Senate Committee, Outlines Workplace Safety Priorities And Workplace Violence Plans

David Keeling, nominee for OSHA chief, emphasized the importance of strengthening workplace safety standards and expanding protections against workplace violence in his Senate testimony. His agenda includes bolstering inspection efforts, modernizing safety frameworks, and addressing emerging risks in retail and industrial environments. Keeling’s testimony signals a more proactive and preventive approach to safeguarding workers across sectors.

Mondaq

Retail Brands Risk Losing Billions When Checkout Processes Fall Short

Retailers stand to lose billions annually due to poor checkout experiences, from slow load times to confusing interfaces that frustrate customers. A new report underscores that even minor hiccups in the online or in-store checkout journey can trigger cart abandonment and erode customer loyalty. Brands are urged to invest in seamless, intuitive checkout systems to protect revenue and enhance shopper satisfaction.

PYMNTS

8 retail fraud schemes every business should watch for

The NRF outlines eight evolving fraud tactics plaguing retailers, including digital refund fraud, account takeovers, and organized retail crime syndicates. These schemes are growing more sophisticated, exploiting both online vulnerabilities and in-store loopholes. Retailers are advised to enhance detection tools, train employees, and tighten policies to stay ahead of these costly threats.

NRF

Amazon, Walmart Mull Stablecoin Launch to Save Billions in Fees: Report

Amazon and Walmart are reportedly exploring the launch of their own stablecoins to slash transaction fees and streamline digital payments. By bypassing traditional banking networks, the retail giants aim to cut billions in processing costs while increasing control over customer transactions. If realized, this move could revolutionize the retail payments landscape and intensify debates over the future of decentralized finance.

Cryptonews

 Good LP Teams Fight 

Amber Bradley
Editor-in-Chief
TalkLPnews
amber@talklpnews.com

Strategic master, author and organizational psychologist Dr. Patrick Lencioni stated, "The enemy of accountability is ambiguity, and nothing creates more ambiguity than a leadership team that fails to engage in productive conflict around important issues." It’s been proven that management teams whose members challenge one another’s thinking develop a more complete understanding of the choices, create a broader array of options, and ultimately guide organizations to the most effective decisions in competitive environments.

If productive conflict is the key to finding the most optimal solutions for your company, why do internal team disagreements turn unproductive and even sometimes personal? And how should you manage seemingly emotional or irrational behavior when it arises? According to Stanford University professor Kathleen M. Eisenhardt, you keep it from going there.

Here’s the six tactics she suggests for managing interpersonal conflict within your teams for the most productive “fight:”

Work with more, rather than less information on the basis of facts

More information is better (as long as the information is based on facts and recent data). More information about a debated issue may seem like a hinderance, but it actually encourages people to focus on issues, not personalities. It also avoids time spent on useless arguments based on ignorance. Research also shows that there is a direct link between reliance on facts and low levels of interpersonal conflict.

Develop options to enrich the debate

Teams with low instances of interpersonal conflict developed multiple alternatives when considering options to solve a strategic challenge. The best teams in Eisenhardt’s studies were often debating four or five options at once.

Share commonly agreed upon goals

Obviously, it is important to create goals that are clearly communicated. The key with this point is to frame the creation of those strategic goals as collaborative, not competitive. If team members feel they are working toward a common goal, they are less likely to see themselves as either winners or losers. But more importantly, they are more likely to learn from others vs. feeling like they are competition with them.

Inject humor into the process

The point of this one is pretty obvious. Humor relieves tension and promotes collaboration. Plus a positive mood makes team members relaxed with their defenses down. So, don’t drag your boss for that awkwardly timed dad joke.

Maintain a balanced power structure

This point reiterates the importance of ‘balanced power structures’ which means the head person has the final decision making power but other members of the team have hierarchical power based on their own well-defined area of responsibility. Flat organizations where no one truly leads by making final decisions creates high levels of internal friction.

Resolve issues without forcing consensus

Basically, not everyone has to agree with the final decision BUT everyone should feel like they debated the relevant options and were heard throughout the process. This process is called ‘consensus with qualification’ – here’s how it works: Executives talk over an issue and try to reach consensus. If they can, the decision is made. If they can’t, the most senior member makes the decision, guided by input from the rest of the team. But the point is, a decision is made. Interestingly, people are willing to accept outcomes they disagree with as long as they believe the process was fair.

And if you’re thinking, “Oh, this is just great, Amber – a more complex process to slow down an already intense process.” Wrong-o. Research shows that creating and utilizing these six tactics actually speeds up the process instead of slowing it down.

More importantly – MOST importantly – remember the opposite of conflict isn’t peace. The alternative to NOT having productive conflict within your team is apathy and disengagement. A slight play on Mr. Lencioni’s quote – the enemy of productive teams is apathy so practice these six tactics to build a strong team ready for any ‘fight’ that comes their way!

Do you have a different take? Or more to add? 

Enjoying these? (happy to take compliments, or complaints)

Let me know by emailing me here.

AG Bondi: LA Looters Will Be Charged Under Hobbs Act

Newsmax

West Virginia man charged for alleged bomb threats at Kroger and Walmart, says he was working with German terrorist group

A West Virginia man is facing serious charges after allegedly threatening two local businesses with acts of terrorism just months apart.

Leroy R. Koepfinger Jr., 58, of Weirton, has been indicted on two counts of making terroristic threats, according to 7News media partner the Herald-Star. Prosecutors say Koepfinger made alarming claims at the Weirton Kroger and Walmart stores in separate incidents earlier this year.

The first incident happened on January 9. According to the indictment, Koepfinger allegedly told a Kroger employee that he was working with a German terrorist group planning to bomb all Kroger locations.

ABC News

Chicago Man Faces Felony after $400,000 in Stolen Merchandise Recovered

Chicagoland Journal

Safe and Open: Rethinking Retail Loss Prevention Without Compromising the Experience 

Locked cases and restrictive access may deter theft—but they’re also driving customers away. In our latest insights article, “Safe and Open,” we explore a smarter approach to retail loss prevention—one that protects profits, people, and the shopper experience.

Learn how Gatekeeper Systems’ Purchek® solution quietly stops pushout theft without confrontation, while FaceFirst AI-enabled face matching helps identify repeat offenders in real time. Together, these technologies offer a dual-layered, intelligent defense that keeps stores open, safe, and welcoming.

📍 Join us at NRF PROTECT 2025 to explore how we’re reshaping retail safety.
🗓️ June 23–25 | Booth 622 (Gatekeeper Systems) & Booth 308 (FaceFirst)

Finding the balance between retail innovation and security in a digital technology centric world

Remember when shopping meant physically going to a store, browsing items on shelves and paying with cash or card at a register?

Those days feel increasingly distant as retail undergoes a massive digital makeover.

Today's retailers are racing to adopt tech that seemed like science fiction just a few years ago. Smart mirrors that let you virtually try on clothes.

RTIH

Three priorities for surviving retail supply chain disruption

Global retail supply chains have faced unprecedented disruption over the past decade, driven by COVID-19, artificial intelligence advances, tariffs, and attacks on shipping routes, forcing industry leaders to constantly adapt amid ongoing uncertainty.

According to Kearney, companies must focus on three key shifts: what people are buying, how they’re buying, and why they’re buying.  

MSN

Docs: Family Dollar employee arrested for shooting thief in butt

A Family Dollar employee was arrested after he allegedly shot a man in the butt for reportedly stealing company merchandise, according to police.

Jerome Stepp was charged with the following:

Aggravated Battery, a Level 3 Felony
Criminal Recklessness, a Level 6 Felony.

The Police Department was dispatched for a report of a theft in progress at a Family Dollar.

Fox 59 News

The Director of Loss Prevention is responsible for both asset protection and loss prevention, preventing financial loss caused by theft and fraud and supporting safety and environmental program compliance across the company. This position utilizes a variety of tools and resources to minimize loss to the company. The Director of Loss Prevention improves company profitability by developing and maintaining effective policies and procedures to reduce exposure to theft and increase team member awareness. This single incumbent position takes initiative in identifying issues and bringing solutions to the stakeholders and partnering with department and store leaders.

Employees confront alleged shoplifters trying to flee store in dramatic footage: ‘Amazing work’

In dramatic footage shared online, two employees at a pharmaceutical retailer have been praised for their bravery in preventing two alleged teenage shoplifters from escaping the store.

The clip, shared on Instagram by @its_called_straya, shows the two male Chemist Warehouse employees in uniform using their bodies to block the exit, effectively stopping the teens from attempting to flee.

The video begins showing the standoff as the alleged shoplifters try to negotiate their way past the employees. 

One of the teens can be heard saying, “Get out of my face, move,” as she attempts to push past the workers.

Despite the pressure, the employees remain calm and refuse to budge.

New York Post

California report examines impacts of new retail theft law

Retail theft drew major headlines across California last year, as a statewide voter initiative targeting the issue took center stage.

That initiative — Proposition 36 — passed overwhelmingly, increasing penalties for certain theft and drug crimes. Now in effect for six months, the new law is a main focus in a report released Thursday by the state Legislative Analyst’s Office.

The report offers no hard opinions, but instead highlights how changes in the law expand law enforcement power over retail theft, points to how it could impact crime rates and provides questions for lawmakers to tackle as they continue to work on the issue.

“Retail theft has implications for economic outcomes, as well as a sense of safety, well-being, and fundamental quality of life for Californians,” the office wrote.

Courthouse News