Some Americans have called out major retailers for the current costs of some merchandise. Walmart and Costco , among others, are facing blowback this month for the alleged hikes on several items Many economists have argued that a result of the tariffs could mean higher prices for Americans. Data collected by the Yale Budget Lab predicts that the average household could pay an extra $1,600 to $2,000 annually, depending on several factors.
Trump says the Fed should cut rates to ease the economy’s transition to his tariffs President Donald Trump is now urging the central bank to cut interest rates to support his tariff-driven trade policies. In a Truth Social post, Trump called on Fed Chair Jerome Powell to lower rates as new tariffs take effect, coinciding with the administration’s April 2 trade policy announcement. While the Fed has signaled potential rate cuts later in the year, Powell remains cautious about the uncertain impact of tariffs, which could initially drive inflation. [CNBC]
A surge in organized retail theft has led Denver grocery stores, including King Soopers and Safeway, to lock up laundry detergent, frustrating shoppers who face long wait times for assistance. Theft of detergent has risen by 29% in Denver this year, reflecting a nationwide trend where stolen goods are resold online. Despite efforts to curb losses, locking up products has been shown to hurt sales rather than deter theft. With shoplifting incidents and financial losses soaring, retailers continue searching for a solution while consumers adjust to increased security measures.
Most of the nearly $1.5 million a former University of Miami student from Darien has agreed to pay in restitution for his role in a multi-million dollar return shipping scheme will go to Amazon, with the remaining money divvied up among several other retailers, according to court records. Matthew Bergwall pleaded guilty to mail fraud conspiracy in federal court last summer. His sentencing is set to resume in June, after it was initially scheduled for last week.
Editor's Note: This theft happened ultimately because the thief hacked a supply chain management company. How's the cyber-health of your 3rd-party vendors?
28 people arrested in retail theft operation A countywide organized retail theft operation in Stanislaus County on Tuesday led to the arrest of 28 individuals, with multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Sheriff’s Office, CHP, and local police departments, collaborating on the effort. Authorities emphasized their commitment to preventing retail theft from harming businesses and residents, stating they will not tolerate organized retail crime in the county. [FOX 40]
TalkLP host Amber Bradley plays the game of “Wheel of International Challenges” with Gatekeeper Systems international guests Nick Trudgett, General Manager – Australia/New Zealand/APAC and Matt Day, Director and General Manager – UK, along with local Gatekeeper Systems guest Tracine Marroquin, Vice President of Marketing and Product Management. Are the shoplifters in Australia and the UK as brazen as they are here in the US? Are out of stock problems as prevalent? Do they face labor retention challenges and law enforcement response time issues? They discuss the “culture of entitlement” happening on a global scale, Purchek’s ability to de-escalate incidents and the Chocolate Thieves of New Zealand! Don’t miss it!
Connect with Tracine here, Nick hereand Matt here. Also check out Gatekeeper Systems’s Purchek here to learn more about their products and offerings.
Brookfield retail theft; police say man had kids take over $1K in baby formula
BROOKFIELD, Wis. - Police are seeking a man wanted in a recent Brookfield grocery store theft.
What we know: The Brookfield Police Department said it happened on Tuesday, March 18, at the Pick 'N Save on Greenfield Ave at around 5:30 p.m. Three unidentified males took $1,328.58 of Similac and Enfamil formula merchandise without rendering payment for the items.
Police said the primary suspect, an adult male, used his children to commit the crime by having them exit with the merchandise.
The man is described as being approximately in his 40s–50s, Black, wearing a black jacket with black sweatpants and black and white Nike shoes.
E-commerce is here to stay after a push from the pandemic
As the pandemic surged in the U.S. five years ago this spring, Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, faced an unprecedented series of business challenges.
Shifting government regulations, sudden changes in consumer buying and spending behavior and the logistics of maintaining a business of vast scale as the world dealt with a global health crisis added up. The changes contributed to higher sales for Walmart but also higher expenses and a lower gross margin during Q1 sales in 2020.
The retailer pivoted quickly by improving its website and expanding its value proposition on convenience. It also adopted a broader omnichannel approach, one that it said resonated with customers.
Suspects sought after $25K worth of jewelry stolen from Clarksville Walmart
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Authorities are investigating after more than $20,000 worth of jewelry was stolen from a Walmart in Clarksville earlier this week.
The Clarksville Police Department said the incident took place at the Walmart in the 3000 block of Wilma Rudolph Boulevard on Tuesday, March 18.
Video surveillance reported captured two individuals near the store’s jewelry counter at 5:10 p.m. One of the individuals reportedly opened the display case and took approximately $25,000 worth of jewelry.
Just minutes later, around 5:44 p.m., the two suspects are seen leaving the store. However, police added they were not seen getting into a vehicle.
Zepbound copycats remain online despite FDA ban Despite the FDA's enforcement deadline, many online platforms and compounding pharmacies continue to offer tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Eli Lilly’s Zepbound and Mounjaro, under the guise of personalized medicine. While some companies have halted new patient intake, others, like Mochi Health, argue their customized dosing and ingredient combinations keep them compliant. The FDA has banned mass compounding of the drug, but enforcement remains uncertain, and legal challenges persist.
The District Loss Prevention Manager (DLPM) is an integral part of a fast-growing, constantly evolving environment that partners with Store Operations to ensure we provide the best experience to our customers! With proven leadership, people development, and focus on encouraging partnerships, the DLPM takes the complex current LP scenario head-on by building proven partnerships with store and senior regional leadership and law enforcement agencies and is responsible for establishing LP policies and procedures to ensure profitability with customer experience in mind.
Savannah man sentenced to 20 years in prison for armed robbery
CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. — A Chatham County man has been sentenced to prison for the armed robbery of a grocery store that wounded two people.
Jordan Richardson, 25, of Savannah, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to interference with commerce by robbery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.
Richardson must also pay $23,793 in restitution and serve five years of supervised release after completing his prison term.
Amazon and Walmart Go Head-to-Head Over Logistics and AI
Tariff pressures are squeezing the retail and eCommerce sectors. What are the two behemoths dominating the space, Walmart and Amazon, doing in response?
The answer, according to the news this week, is doubling down on technology to enhance operational efficiency and making calculated moves to capture new markets in the face of ongoing uncertainty.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping the future of both companies. Amazon is focusing on customer engagement and automation while Walmart leverages AI for merchant efficiency and product sourcing.
Skimming devices found in multiple 7-Eleven convenience stores, ATMs in Camden, Montgomery counties
PHILADELPHIA - Skimming devices have been discovered at multiple 7-Eleven stores and ATMs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Here's what we know.
What we know: Montgomery County On March 17, Cheltenham police say they recovered a skimming device from an ATM at the 7-Eleven convenience store located at 250 S. Easton Road.
They say the employees at the store noticed the device and removed it on Sunday, March 16 at around 7:00 p.m.
Losses from return fraud and abuse exceed $100 billion
A new study reveals that fraudulent and abusive returns activity poses a serious threat to retail profitability.
Total returns for the retail industry amounted to $685 billion worth of merchandise in 2024, representing 13.21% of total retail sales ($5.19 trillion), according to the annual "2024 Consumer Returns in the Retail Industry" report from Appriss Retail, in collaboration with Deloitte.
The report revealed that fraudulent returns and claims resulted in a $103 billion loss for retailers in 2024, with 15.14% (up from 13.7%) of all returns deemed fraudulent (meaning a customer attempted to return an item to a retailer for a refund, knowing the item did not qualify for a refund according to the store's policy.)
News10NBC Investigates: 7 cars stolen from Costco parking lot in 20 days, all but one on the weekends
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Costco parking lot on the border of Rochester and Brighton is facing a stolen car problem, with seven thefts reported in the last 20 days.
Strangely, there wasn’t a single report of a stolen car at Costco during the years when the problem was at its worst citywide.
Ashley DiMino’s car was stolen on Sunday, March 9th, after she parked just two rows from the front door and was in the store for only 30 minutes.
“I raced my kids to the car and my car was not there,” DiMino said.
When police found her car, the driver’s side mirrors and handle were gone, and the inside was trashed.
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