Why America’s Biggest Retailers Are Sounding the Alarm

Retail’s long-predicted “apocalypse” is finally taking shape—this time for real. Industry giants Walmart and Target are openly warning of supply chain breakdowns and empty shelves, driven by crushing tariffs and shifting consumer behavior. With historic competitors forming coalitions to lobby Washington, shipping volumes plummeting, and consumer fear triggering hoarding, retail’s old model of cheap imports and endless variety is crumbling fast—ushering in a reset that will leave shoppers facing higher prices, fewer options, and an uncertain new normal.

TalkLPnews

Retailers shift supply chains to reduce risks from Trump’s tariffs on China

As President Trump’s escalating trade war with China intensifies, major U.S. retailers are aggressively diversifying their supply chains to reduce reliance on Chinese goods and offset crippling tariffs. Industry leaders like Macy’s, Target, Gap, Walmart, and Apple have already slashed their China sourcing percentages, shifting production to countries like Vietnam, India, and within the U.S.—though they warn the transition isn’t without costs, including potential price hikes for consumers. Meanwhile, legal battles over Trump’s sweeping tariffs continue, with a federal appeals court temporarily allowing the tariffs to stand as the administration fights to maintain its aggressive trade stance.

FOX Business

AI Emerges as the Top Concern for Security Leaders

A new Arctic Wolf report reveals that AI and privacy issues have now surpassed ransomware and malware as the top concern for security leaders, with 29% citing them as their primary worry. Despite these concerns, AI is also driving significant cyber investment, with 99% of organizations developing generative AI usage policies. Meanwhile, cyber threats remain rampant—70% of organizations experienced at least one major cyberattack last year, with malware and business email compromise leading the charge, and ransomware continuing to pose a serious threat as 76% of targeted companies admitted to paying ransoms, often with the help of professional negotiators.

Security Magazine

Right to Repair Laws Now Exclude Security Tech

Newly enacted right to repair laws include critical exemptions for security and life safety systems, a move widely praised by the security industry for safeguarding alarm, access control, and monitoring technologies. The exemptions prevent manufacturers from being required to share sensitive repair information that could compromise system integrity. These legislative victories, strongly supported by groups like the Security Industry Association (SIA), Electronic Security Association (ESA), and major industry players such as ADT, highlight growing recognition among lawmakers that broad right to repair mandates could inadvertently expose public safety systems to new risks—setting a precedent for future legislation nationwide.

Security Info Watch

Cracking the code of on-shelf availability

Inventory distortion is costing the retail industry a staggering $1.7 trillion annually, much of it tied to poor on-shelf availability—a critical issue for grocers with thin margins and loyalty driven by having the right products available when customers want them. Traditional inventory systems lack the real-time, item-level visibility needed to address this, but 2D barcodes offer a powerful solution by embedding dynamic data like expiration dates, lot numbers, and product provenance into a single scan. With the retail industry moving toward the Sunrise 2027 standard for 2D barcode adoption, grocers that modernize now will gain a competitive edge in operational agility, customer satisfaction, and brand trust, while those who delay risk falling behind in an increasingly data-driven market.

Grocery Dive

Factor by which the word “notable” appears more frequently in AI-generated sentences than in those

written by human

Source: Weixin Liang (Stanford, Calif.)

Session Spotlight:

What Enterprise Risk Management

Truly Looks Like from the C-suite 

Scott McBride

Chief Security Officer

American Eagle

Brian M. Stephens

Head of Resilience &

Security Solutions

Teneo Risk Advisory

Interested in attending APEX? Learn more here.

Check out more agenda topics here.

Get your insights from Surveillance

Monitor Everything, Everywhere - Quickly respond to security events with video data analytics that flag suspicious situations in real time.

March Networks’ AI Series Cameras deliver unmatched precision and reliability, redefining the standard for accuracy in threat identification, where false positives are effectively eliminated. These smart cameras offer built-in video analytics like intrusion and loitering detection, line crossing, unattended or missing object detection, face detection, and crowd detection, ensuring peace of mind and security across all aspects of your operation.

Mobile push notifications and real-time alerts powered by March Networks Smart Rules and the Command Mobile Plus app ensure that video surveillance information can be seen by authorized personnel from anywhere, anytime.

Serve Customers Better - Determine how best to improve customer service with analysis of customer behavior data provided by AI-enabled network video recorders.

Quickly and accurately focus on customer behaviors on-location with the data analysis capabilities of our X-Series Recorders. Powered by dedicated AI engines and NVIDIA system-on-chip technology, these recorders make it easier to identify customer service issues. With accurate data, you can identify areas that need attention, like long lineups, or optimize placement of marketing materials, such as flyers and signage, where customers spend most of their time.

Walmart Invests $500M in AI, Faces 1,500 Layoffs by 2026

Walmart, the retail giant, is transforming in 2025 through digital innovation and automation, investing $500 million in AI and robotics.

Targeting 65% store automation by 2026, it faces layoffs of 1,500 employees and a skills gap, raising questions about retail employment and balancing tech with human capital.

Walmart’s journey is emblematic of broader retail trends, where digital transformation is both a necessity and a disruptor.

 WebPro News

SpartanNash shakes up corporate staff

SpartanNash has reorganized its corporate structure in an effort to “better position our company to grow,” according to a spokesperson for the grocery retailer and wholesaler.

The changes include the elimination of an unspecified number of positions as well as promotions, reassignments and the establishment of new job levels, the spokesperson said, without providing specifics. 

SpartanNash has also recently parted ways with several senior executives. The company’s chief merchandising officer and chief strategy and information officer both left in April, and its executive vice president of corporate retail departed in December.

Grocery Dive

Portland Police arrest 36 in large-scale retail theft operation

 KATU 2 News

Isolated Events to Actionable Insights: Maximizing the Full Potential of the Purchek® Solution

Gatekeeper Systems' Purchek® solution goes beyond stopping theft—it unlocks data that strengthens entire retail operations. By combining real-time video capture, managed investigations, and integrations with technologies like FaceFirst, retailers gain deeper insights into offender patterns and operational vulnerabilities. Purchek® helps transform loss prevention from a reactive function into a proactive strategy, reducing shrink and boosting safety, while continuously adapting to new retail challenges through an evolving service model.

The $158B supply chain gap: why connection matters in times of uncertainty

Tariff talks are everywhere in 2025, but the current supply chain landscape presents other challenges beyond the headlines. While tariffs do have a major impact on business operations, these discussions expose a more fundamental and costly disruption: the fragile state of the supply chain. 

Retail Dive

How Is The Role Of The Security Installer And Integrator Changing?

In the past, security installers and integrators were used almost exclusively to install hardware.

However, the role is changing and expanding along with the technologies used in the physical security industry.

Security Informed

OSHA in 2025: Key Updates and What Employers Should Know

Workplace safety initiatives continue to evolve amid the shifting political landscape and regulatory priorities. OSHA remains a central player in ensuring worker protection, though its approach has fluctuated across presidential administrations. 

JD Supra

Director, Security Ops - Fanatics

The Director of Security Operations is responsible for overseeing and advancing the security operations framework within Fanatics Collectibles. This senior leadership role entails managing all aspects of physical security, threat management, risk mitigation, vendor management, project management, and budget oversight to safeguard the company’s assets, employees, and brand reputation. Reporting to the Vice President of Security, the Director will lead a team of security professionals, driving strategies that ensure safety, resilience, and a proactive security posture.

Fourth round of Rite Aid stores set for closure: Here’s where

Senator Sanders’ Bill to Ban “Cashless” Retail Transactions Passes Both Houses

In a major victory for economic equity and consumer rights, legislation sponsored by Senator James Sanders Jr. (S4153-A) and Assemblymember Catalina Cruz (A7929-A) has officially passed both houses of the Legislature.

The bill prohibits food stores and retail establishments from refusing to accept payment in cash, ensuring that everyone—especially low-income, elderly, and unbanked individuals—can access essential goods and services.

State Senate