Protests over immigration raids pop up across the US with more planned
In Austin, Texas, hundreds of protesters gathered to oppose nationwide ICE detention raids, with demonstrators marching near the state Capitol before heading downtown.
The peaceful demonstration turned tense when some participants wrote graffiti and engaged in confrontational acts, leading to 13 arrests, including felony charges . Law enforcement used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse crowds, signaling preparedness for further protests over the weekend.
AP News

What you need to know from the Project515 on retail
Project515 highlights emerging challenges and strategies in the retail sector, emphasizing the need for resilience, agility, and innovation in the face of shifting consumer behavior and economic pressures. Key takeaways include how retailers are adapting through digitization, supply chain optimization, and customer experience enhancements to stay competitive. These findings underscore a major shift toward tech-driven retail models and strategic investment in future-proofing operations.
Business Record

With retail cyberattacks on the rise, customers find orders blocked and shelves empty
A surge in cyberattacks targeting retail supply chains—most notably the UNFI breach affecting Whole Foods—has resulted in disrupted deliveries, empty shelves, and frustrated customers across the U.S. Similar hacks in the UK have hit Marks & Spencer and Co‑op, causing prolonged website outages and stock shortages. Security experts warn that these breaches not only halt business operations but also expose sensitive data, urging retailers to bolster cyber defenses and encourage consumers to enhance personal protection measures.
The Sun Chronicle

Warning signs in the retail economy
Growing signals of weakness—like rising vacancy rates, cooling foot traffic, and shifting consumer preferences—suggest that retail health may be under pressure, according to recent NRF analysis. The report highlights the need for retailers to adapt by focusing on omnichannel capabilities, inventory flexibility, and demand forecasting. Strategic pivots and proactive planning are essential for navigating this evolving economic landscape.
NRF

Rethinking Retail: The Hidden Costs of Self-Checkout Technology

This Wharton podcast explores how self-checkout systems, despite their convenience, come with hidden operational and financial costs, including theft, false positives, and diminished customer experience. Retailers must balance these technologies with robust human oversight and effective loss prevention strategies to manage shrinkage and maintain customer satisfaction. The discussion also delves into the challenges of integrating self-checkout into a seamless retail strategy without alienating consumers or overburdening staff.

Wharton

Webinar: From Surveillance to Strategy: Unlocking Retail Intelligence with Video Analytics

Video surveillance is a treasure trove of data; however, most of that valuable intelligence goes unused. With the addition of AI-based video analytics, retail businesses can uncover new insights from their video security systems, transforming the processes their organization uses across departments, including optimizations for loss prevention, operations, marketing, and security teams.

Ocean State Job Lot is one retailer that is leveraging video analytics to help their teams uncover actionable insights that enhance efficiency, safety, and collaboration across their stores.

I hope you’ll join me for OpenEye’s upcoming webinar, where I’ll be talking to Ocean State Job Lot about how they’re using their video data to drive enhanced security and operational efficiencies.

Date: June 18, 2025

Time: 11:00 am PT / 2:00 pm ET

Measure Before You Invest: Expert Insights On Retail Technology ROI

ESM

Sam’s Club Exec Tells How to Transform Retail

Progressive Grocer kicked off its third annual GroceryTech event with a deep dive into the innovative thinking needed to succeed at retail, with Todd Garner, SVP and chief product officer at Bentonville, Ark.-based Sam’s Club, a division of Walmart.

Introduced by Mercatus’ Lee Lambeth, Garner took to the stage with PG Editorial Director and Associate Publisher Gina Acosta for an insightful keynote discussion.  

Affirming that the warehouse club retailer was “people-led and tech-powered,” Garner noted: “Our goal is to maximize the time that we have between a member and an associate, because we think that that really is a differentiating experience.

Progressive Grocer

80% of Firms Targeted by Payment Fraud as Traditional Defenses Lag

PYMNTS

Retailers: Mark your calendars for Boots & Brews

NRF PROTECT | Tuesday, June 24 | 6:30 pm

Searching for a Video Surveillance System? Here are the Questions You Need to Ask

Choosing a video surveillance system today is more complex than ever. With the rise of AI-driven analytics, camera-to-cloud, and business intelligence tools, the right solution can do far more than just record footage.  It can also enhance security, optimize operations, and reduce costs. But with so many options, how do you know what to look at for your financial institution, restaurant or retail business? 

When looking at video security systems, here are the key factors and questions you should consider when looking at your options, along with common pitfalls to avoid.

Total Cost of Ownership: Avoid Hidden Fees

Many security solutions come with unexpected costs; from licensing fees for third-party cameras to ongoing software subscriptions. These hidden expenses can drive up total costs and limit flexibility. When browsing surveillance cameras, look for options that will last as an initial investment without long-term maintenance costs. 

Ask About: 

• Per-camera licensing fees: Some providers charge extra to integrate third-party cameras. Does your solution allow integration without additional costs?

• Non-proprietary storage options: Avoid being locked into expensive, brand-specific storage options that limit your ability to expand. 

• Field & Remote serviceable hardware: Can your system be repaired quickly on-site? Can some issues be solved remotely without a costly truck roll?

Costco Sued for $14M After Cabinet Allegedly Crushed Shopper

A California woman is taking Costco to court over a shopping trip that allegedly left her with catastrophic injuries, and she’s seeking more than $14 million in damages.

USA Today reported that Sadie Novotny, of Santa Rosa, says she suffered traumatic injuries when a liquor cabinet display fell on her without warning while shopping at her local Costco.

MSN

Freight train burglaries, sales of stolen cargo are a lucrative business

Last fall, CBS Skywatch was overhead as thieves pulled off a freight train heist on Chicago's West Side.

The wild scene played out for hours as several freight train cars were broken into, and dozens of people walked away with big-screen TVs.

Since then, there have been several more similar incidents, including one just last week in west suburban Bellwood.

CBS News

New retail theft task force makes first arrest in Ohio

A new task force in Ohio aimed at cutting down organized retail theft made its first arrest.

A man and woman from the Toledo area were arrested in May following a tip from a Walmart there about gift card theft. An investigation revealed that the pair bought gift cards with credit card information from a victim in Florida.

When they were arrested, police found multiple gift cards and also seized a laptop and several other payment cards.

Fox 8

Amherst man arrested for threatening ‘mass stabbing’ at Big Y

An Amherst man was arrested this week after threatening a local grocery store and a police officer who responded to a mass shooting back in 2023.

On Monday, a judge ordered that Luke Brissie of Amherst was to be detained, he’s now being charged with communicating a threat in interstate commerce.

Back on April 5th, police say Luke Brissie of Amherst sent threatening messages via Instagram to an officer within the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.

In the messages, Brissie stated that he would bomb or even shoot the Nashville officer for responding to the 2023 mass shooting at “The Covenant Elementary School” which left three adults and three students dead.

Western Mass News

Blackhawk Network rolls out Tap to Pay Visa Gift Card

Branded payments provider Blackhawk Network (BHN) has announced its plans to facilitate more secure contactless advancements to physical gift cards with the Tap to Pay Visa Gift Card. 

Through this move, Blackhawk Network seeks to increase security for physical gift cards by selling the card in tamper-evident packaging without any human-readable data elements, including account number, CVV, or mag stripe.

Consumers can access funds by leveraging the card’s tap-to-pay feature at contactless-enabled terminals or by adding the card to a mobile wallet using the MyCardWallet app.

The Tap to Pay Visa Gift Card is set to be available for purchase at specific locations as of the beginning of summer 2025.

The Paypers

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