Walmart exec shares the ultimate red flag she sees in employees: ‘Nobody’ will want to hire you

At a time when talent retention and performance are paramount, a senior Walmart leader pinpointed complacency as the most alarming warning sign in her teams. She argues that employees who stop challenging the status quo and cease asking questions pose greater long-term risks than occasional mistakes or missteps. This insight underscores the retail giant’s push for a culture of continuous learning and innovation to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market.

CNBC

Department store CEO says he’s unsure ‘how long we can continue to operate in Portland’

Facing steep rent hikes, labor shortages, and waning foot traffic, a regional department store CEO revealed serious doubts about the chain’s survival in downtown Portland. He warned that without urgent support—whether from city incentives or revitalized consumer spending—the store might shutter within months. His candid admission reflects broader anxieties across urban retail corridors struggling to adapt in a post-pandemic world. 

The Oregonian

US and Ecuador sign agreement to combat transnational crime

In a landmark move to stem the flow of illicit goods and human trafficking, Washington and Quito inked a bilateral pact enhancing intelligence sharing and joint law-enforcement operations. The deal empowers both nations’ agencies to coordinate real-time tracking of smuggling networks, cybercriminal rings, and drug cartels crossing their borders. Observers say this cooperation could serve as a blueprint for other countries grappling with increasingly sophisticated transnational threats.

ABC News

Are companies penny-pinching when it comes to office security? Nearly 40% have no safety plan.

Morningstar

Inside Huione: The $24 B “Amazon for Criminals” Evolves

Once a simple dark-web phishing-kit vendor, Huione has transformed into a lavish, Amazon-style cybercrime marketplace generating some $24 billion in annual illicit revenue. Its slick platform now offers star-rated ransomware tools, credential “farms,” and 24/7 “customer support” via encrypted chat—complete with affiliate commissions. Recent pivots to invitation-only channels and peer-to-peer crypto swaps underscore how professionalized and resilient today’s underground economies have become.

TalkLPnews

What a Fool Believes (It’s a love song, or is it?)

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

I’m a sucker for the soft rock classics.

One of my favs is the Doobie Brothers' song, What a Fool Believes (hit play and then read this). But if you listen closely, it’s way more than a soft rock classic. It's a poetic exploration of how powerful and costly self-deception can be.

If you haven’t heard it, the lyrics center around a man who clings to the illusion that an old lover still holds space for him in her life. Despite all evidence to the contrary, he convinces himself that reconciliation is possible. This same pattern of thinking, believing in a reality that does not exist, is not limited to personal relationships. It also plays out in boardrooms, retail sales floors, and executive offices where companies overlook warning signs in the name of optimism or denial. In corporate environments, especially in loss prevention and asset protection, this mindset can lead to significant damage that could have been avoided.

In the song, the narrator "sees what he wants to see," which mirrors the mentality of business leaders or managers who ignore red flags in their operations. Whether it is assuming that a trusted employee could never commit internal theft or believing a flawed security process is sufficient because it has not yet failed, these blind spots create vulnerabilities. In both love and business, fools believe, and when they do, the cost is often high.

Loss prevention is a discipline grounded in anticipating risk, identifying patterns, and addressing weaknesses before they lead to measurable loss. Companies that fall into the trap of "what a fool believes" often ignore the true causes of shrink, many of which stem from internal threats. We all know that employee theft continues to be one of the top contributors to inventory loss. Yet why do so many organizations remain reluctant to acknowledge it?   Is it due to an emotional attachment to team culture or a belief in loyalty over accountability?

Just as the song's narrator rises in anticipation of an apology that never comes, leaders can mistakenly wait for the problem to reveal itself instead of facing it directly. They might assume that shrink is seasonal, blame vendors, or focus only on customer theft. This reactive mindset is no different from wishful thinking in a relationship. By the time the truth becomes unavoidable, the damage is already done.

The most productive AP professionals remove the blinders and audit processes, track inventory discrepancies, monitor behaviors, and create a culture where reporting concerns is encouraged. But if leaders ignore or deprioritize their findings, the same cycle of self-deception continues. A fool might believe their store's excellent customer service culture prevents internal theft, but belief does not replace data. Prevention is only effective when rooted in honest evaluation and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths.

This theme of seeing only what is convenient is also relevant in how companies treat whistleblowers. When employees raise concerns about theft, procedural gaps, or suspicious activity, it is tempting for leadership to dismiss or downplay the issue, especially if the person in question is well liked or has tenure. Choosing comfort over confrontation is just another form of the foolish belief.

The action: creating a culture of clear-eyed realism by:

• Routinely questioning assumptions
• Embracing audits as tools for improvement rather than punishment
• Equipping all employees with the power and channels to report without fear
• Choosing truth over ease, and data over emotion

What a Fool Believes is a cautionary tale. The pain in the song does not come from rejection itself, it comes from believing in something that was never real. In business, the most dangerous losses are not the ones you see coming. They are the ones you chose not to see. To protect your company's future, you must be willing to confront the present honestly.

Anything less is just wishful thinking – and remember, the wise man has the power.

Do you have a different take? Hate it, love it - missed something? Tell me!

Hundreds arrested across 28 states in effort to curb organized retail theft

The Guardian

Video: Store manager sentenced to nearly 5 years in death of shoplifting suspect

Former O’Reilly Auto Parts manager Christopher Lewis was sentenced to nearly five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter for the 2023 death of a shoplifting suspect outside the Kansas City, Kansas, store.

Prosecutors showed that Lewis pursued the fleeing suspect in his car, struck him, and then dragged him nearly 100 feet, causing fatal injuries.

In court, Lewis expressed remorse, while the victim’s family called for accountability and stronger policies to prevent employees from using vehicles in loss-prevention efforts.

KCTV5 News

Detroit police, community leaders speak on rise in crime this summer: "We need to come together in this city"

CBS News

Striking the Perfect Balance: Redefining Loss Prevention for the Modern Customer Experience

In today’s hyper-competitive retail landscape, loss prevention professionals face a unique challenge: safeguarding assets without compromising the seamless, inviting shopping experiences customers expect. But where is the line between effective security and unwanted friction, and how do you avoid alienating shoppers while deterring theft?

Join us for an insightful conversation where industry leaders explore the latest strategies and technologies that transform loss prevention from a barrier into a business advantage.

Discover:

• The hidden cost of over-securing: Understand how excessive security measures can negatively impact customer loyalty and brand reputation.
• Building a seamless security ecosystem: Learn how to identify and implement the right mix of technologies— from AI-powered analytics to smart deterrents— that enable both strong protection and smooth customer journeys.
• Best practices from the front lines: Hear real-world examples of how today’s top retailers are achieving that elusive balance, boosting both safety and satisfaction.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to loss prevention, this session will equip you with actionable insights to elevate your organization’s approach, and your customers’ experiences.

Employees choosing silence to avoid workplace conflict, report finds

Employees are choosing to keep quiet in the workplace amid fears of discrimination and cancel culture, according to a new report.

Findings from a new MyPerfectResume poll among 1,000 US employees showed that despite efforts to make employees "bring their whole selves to work," many are choosing not to do so.

It found that 74% of employees adjust their communication at work to avoid conflict, while another 68% said they have held back their opinions amid concerns about how their political affiliation might be received.

HRD

Executives look to beef up building security after Manhattan shooting

The assassination of an insurance CEO in December forced corporate executives to reckon with their own safety. This week’s killings in a Manhattan office tower will force them to rethink how to protect the employees in their charge.

“These types of events galvanize focus,” said Jake Silverman, CEO of security firm Kroll.

“There’s a lot of focus now on how senior executives shore up their security postures for themselves and for their people writ large.”

Yahoo! News

ICE raids upstate New York supermarkets

Officers from DHS, along with agents from the FBI and the IRS, conducted raids on two locations of Asia Food Market in upstate New York on Wednesday, a lawyer for the retailer told Supermarket News.

The agents confiscated cell phones, computers, and other records from the retailer, said Alejandro Gutiérrez, an attorney with Berger Berger & Sobieski in Buffalo who represents the retailer.

He said it appears that the agents may have been investigating human trafficking at the stores, although he described it as harassment of the retailer and part of a “fishing expedition” meant to increase deportations.

Supermarket News

The Senior Director, Physical Security will lead the global physical security strategy for Coinbase—encompassing corporate offices, data centers and employee protection. As a strategic leader reporting into the Chief Security Officer (CSO), you’ll build and manage a physical security team, architect layered controls, and ensure continuity across our global footprint.

You'll work closely with cross-functional teams—engineering, legal/regulatory, physical properties, and executive leadership—to deliver comprehensive, risk-based security programs.

Shoplifter injures officer while fleeing arrest at Walmart

A Wentzville man is accused of injuring a police officer while attempting to escape a Walmart after shoplifting from the store.

Police said a loss prevention officer at the store watched George J. Johnson conceal merchandise via the store’s security cameras. Johnson then attempted to leave the store without paying for anything.

FOX2 News

AI Alert: The Retail Workforce Is About to Change

The retail industry stands at a crossroads where artificial intelligence threatens to eliminate millions of jobs while simultaneously creating new opportunities—but only for those retailers smart enough to adapt.

Rather than competing with AI, forward-thinking executives are discovering how to amplify human skills like negotiation, empathy, and conflict resolution in collaboration with technology.

The Robin Report