U.S. import cargo forecast to fall 5.6% in 2025 as tariffs take effect

Tariffs are poised to cool America’s import engine, with container volumes projected to drop 5.6% next year. Retailers are bracing for tighter inventories, slower replenishment, and higher landed costs that could flow to consumers. Expect more strategic ordering, earlier holiday buys, and a fresh sprint to diversify suppliers.

MMR

Walmart to pay $5.6 million to settle lawsuit alleging California shoppers were overcharged

Walmart agreed to a $5.6 million settlement after allegations it overcharged shoppers, putting pricing accuracy and scanner integrity back under the microscope. The payout underscores how small errors at scale can become big liabilities. It’s a wake-up call for retailers to double-down on audits, shelf-label discipline, and POS controls.

LA Times

Retailer’s Win Court Battle Over Debit Interchange Fees

A major legal win for retailers could trim debit swipe costs, potentially easing margin pressure and, eventually, price tags. The ruling intensifies the long-running tug-of-war between merchants and banks over payments economics. If the savings stick, expect louder calls for competition and transparency across the card ecosystem.

PYMNTS

What we know about the Atlanta shooting near the CDC and Emory University

Authorities are piecing together a shooting near the CDC and Emory University, with investigators working to confirm motive and connections. The incident rattled nearby campuses and prompted a swift, coordinated law-enforcement response. As facts emerge, local leaders are emphasizing security, community support, and clear communication.

NBC

Inside Target, Frustrated Employees and the Search for a New CEO

Target’s leadership transition is unfolding amid employee frustration over strategy, workload, and direction. The hunt for a new CEO has heightened scrutiny on execution—especially pricing, inventory discipline, and store experience. Whoever takes the helm will inherit a brand with scale, loyalty, and pressure to deliver a sharper plan, fast.

MSN

Heavy police presence in Gaslamp Quarter after grocery store shooting

A customer opened fire in a Ralphs grocery store Friday evening in the Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego Police confirm.

Officers responded to a 911 call from a Homeland Security Investigations agent after the agent saw a Ralphs customer and the store's security guard exchange gunfire at the Ralphs on the corner of G St and 1st Ave.

"It's essentially a shoot out between a security guard and a a man  in front of a busy Ralph's," said San Diego Police Officer Anthony Carrasco.

CBS8 News

10 of 11 suspects arrested in massive Alabama retail theft case

Ten people are being charged in Tuskegee for organized retail theft, but one more is still being sought, according to the Tuskegee Police Department.

Police responded to a store in the 2800 block of West Martin Luther King Highway at about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in reference to a theft.

The officers were informed that a group of people walked into the store, filled multiple shopping carts with items, then left without paying. The stolen items included alcohol, laundry detergent, and various household items.

WFSA

$400K worth of Pine-Sol stolen from tractor trailer in Pennsylvania

ABC4 News

Earning law enforcement’s attention takes more than filing a report... it requires strategy, relationships, and a reputation for adding value to the community. At APEX, this session will explore how to build partnerships that drive action, improve safety, and strengthen your public image.

If you want to be on law enforcement’s radar for the right reasons, register now and join the conversation.

Saks Global Vendors Say They Still Aren’t Being Paid

Saks Global’s overdue payments problem reportedly continues to plague the department store.

As Retail Dive reported Friday (Aug. 8), the company told analysts in June it had mostly settled things with vendors who were angry about overdue invoices. 

However, vendors in communication with the news outlet said the company has yet to follow through on payments that had been set to resume this summer.

PYMNTS

Southern California man arrested, deputies find over $10,000 worth of stolen goods from Lowe’s

A man was arrested after deputies discovered over $10,000 worth of stolen merchandise from Lowe’s stores at his San Bernardino home.

The suspect was identified as Robert Vaughn, 59, of San Bernardino, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

On Aug. 5, deputies from the Highland station were alerted to multiple thefts that targeted Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in Highland, Redlands and Fontana.

KTLA

Connecticut Dem cuffed again after shoplifting at same Target, faces calls to resign

A Connecticut Democrat has been busted twice for shoplifting at the same Target store.

State Rep. Raghib Allie-Brennan turned himself in to cops on July 28 after a warrant was issued on new shoplifting charges involving the same store where he was previously arrested in June.

Allie-Brennan, 33, was caught allegedly failing to scan $26.69 worth of merchandise at Target’s Bethel location. At the time, he told authorities he was rushing to bring the items to his grandma in the hospital.

NY Post

Director, Asset Protection Operations and Safety - Five Below

The Director, Asset Protection Operations & Safety leads Five Below’s enterprise AP program across stores, ship centers, and Wowtown campuses—building a safe, low-loss environment that supports a fun, high-energy culture. You’ll own vendor strategy and budgets (CapEx/OpEx), develop visitor control and crisis/incident response plans, and deliver KPI-driven insights and benchmarking to senior leadership to reduce risk and shrink.

The role coaches and develops an AP leadership team, drives cross-functional projects with Operations, Finance, IT, Legal and more, and partners closely with the Director of AP (Stores) on company initiatives and special events. Success calls for strong project management, 7–10+ years of people leadership, and readiness to travel ~20% to align field execution with enterprise strategy.

What is AI Smart Search?

AI Smart Search leverages natural language processing and advanced algorithms to identify specific events, people or objects across multiple camera views. With AI Smart Search, business operators can now use voice commands to search through hundreds of thousands of images quickly and easily. Using generative AI, video snapshot images are transformed into a searchable database, allowing users to find key operational issues by simply speaking commands like “show me open cash registers” or “search for open backdoors at night” or “find empty shelves”. 

Scammers target Amazon customers with fake refund texts

Scammers are sending text messages impersonating Amazon, claiming a recall and offering refunds for items that were never purchased.

The scam involves a text message that alleges Amazon is recalling an item due to quality and safety issues, urging recipients to stop using the item immediately and request a refund.

WGAL

The Rumors of OSHA’s Demise Might Be Exaggerated

OSHA's fiscal year 2026 congressional budget justification suggested significant headcount reductions over the next two years and a reduction in inspection activity. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act did not specify funding levels, whether directly or indirectly, for OSHA or the U.S. DOL. But on July 31, the Senate Committee on Appropriations reported out a bill that could dispel rumors of OSHA’s shrinking budget and headcount

Ogletree Deakins

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