In March 2025, retailers are diving headfirst into tech with Walmart using AI to keep an eye on fresh produce, while Old Navy is rolling out AI-powered RFID tech to track inventory like a hawk. Meanwhile, Buy Buy Baby is making a comeback online, and Yum! Brands is teaming up with Nvidia to make ordering at KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut as smooth as a cheesy pizza. Not to be left out, Ulta Beauty is launching a marketplace, Lowe’s is letting you design kitchens in 3D, and Amazon is flexing its visual search muscles. Even Home Depot is getting in on the action with AI tools to help you DIY like a pro, and David’s Bridal is turning into a tech-savvy wedding planner.
Walmart and Amazon are pulling out all the stops to stay ahead in the ever-twisting retail game. Walmart's busy sweet-talking suppliers into price cuts to dodge tariff troubles, while also cozying up to Klarna for some 'buy now, pay later' magic. Meanwhile, Amazon's flexing its tech muscles with AI shopping agents and satellite internet dreams, and even eyeing TikTok for a social media power play. It's a wild ride of innovation and adaptation.
A proposed class action lawsuit accuses Walmart of unlawfully collecting and using Illinois shoppers’ biometric data via in-store facial recognition technology without proper disclosure or consent, violating the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The suit alleges Walmart failed to inform customers, obtain written consent, or publish a data retention policy, and claims the company shared facial data with Clearview AI for identification purposes. The case seeks to represent all Illinois residents whose biometric information was collected or shared by Walmart without consent.
Walmart saw strong sales and profit growth in late 2024, driven by increased transactions and spending from higher-income shoppers. However, it now faces a looming boycott from The People’s Union USA, accusing the retailer of economic corruption and contributing to rising costs. At the same time, Walmart is also preparing for potential challenges from new tariffs that could further impact prices and consumer behavior.
Kroger, the supermarket giant, spent over a billion dollars trying to acquire Albertsons, but the deal fell through. They detailed these expenses in a recent SEC filing, showing they splurged $1.044 billion on merger-related costs since 2022. Most of the spending, $684 million, happened in fiscal 2024, with the rest spread over the previous years.
I had just finished speaking to command-level officers at a major city police department when the senior staff graciously took me out to dinner. In the more relaxed atmosphere, they began discussing an ongoing issue within their department—one they were struggling to solve.
As they brainstormed solutions, I listened intently. They debated creating a new position in a division, adding another box to the org chart, and another salary to the budget. I let them talk, but it was already obvious to me:
They didn’t have a process problem. They had a person problem.
The reason they were considering this new position was because the person currently responsible for the role wasn’t performing. But rather than addressing that head-on, they were looking for a workaround—one that avoided confronting the real issue.
The employee in question wasn’t a bad person. They had been with the department for years, were well-liked, and weren’t causing disciplinary issues. They just weren’t effective in their role. Yet, instead of making the tough decision to either develop them or replace them, leadership was willing to restructure the entire system around a single underperforming person.
I finally chimed in: “Can I offer my perspective?”
Of course, they said yes.
I told them, “You’re trying to solve a problem without confronting the real problem—the person.”
Bill to combat organized retail crime heads to Maryland Gov. Moore's desk
A bill aimed at combating organized retail crime is heading to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore's desk after being passed by the Senate and House.
The bill cracks down on individuals who move from county to county in an effort to stay below Maryland's $1,500 felony theft threshold. The strategy helps criminals avoid being charged with serious offenses.
If passed, the bill would ensure criminals are charged with one scheme, even if the thefts took place in separate counties. The bill would merge the convictions when it comes to sentencing.
Ask a Sommelier: How Do Restaurants Prevent Wine Fraud?
Despite the many safeguards against it, fraud continues to run rampant throughout the wine industry. Outside of the major newsmaking scandals — like the downfall of supposed high-roller Rudy Kurniawan — there are still smaller-scale instances of fraud capitalizing on the rising prices of luxury wines. And the increased presence of online wine sales leaves more buyers vulnerable to scams than ever before.
The 8 Most Commonly Stolen Retail Products in the United States
According to Capital One Shopping, shoplifting could cost retailers over $150 billion by 2026. But what type of stolen products make up this number?
The Cost of Living Crisis and Impact on Retail Over recent years many States have faced economical difficulties, leading to housing shortages, a rise in inflation, and overall cost of living crisis within some locations.
Although, for certain States this may have improved now, others still face difficulties, and it is likely that all States face residual consequences from this.
Master the Language of Loss Prevention and Asset Protection
In the fight against retail theft, understanding the right terms can make all the difference. This glossary outlines key vocabulary and real-world applications—from pushout theft to advanced technologies like Purchek® and CartControl®. Whether you're building strategy or collaborating across teams, this guide helps you communicate clearly and act with purpose.
16 people arrested for retail theft in Washington County in joint mission
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ore. — Sixteen people were arrested during a coordinated retail theft operation conducted by Washington County law enforcement and major retailers on April 4, authorities said.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office partnered with the Beaverton Police Department and loss prevention staff from Target and Home Depot stores throughout Beaverton and Washington County for the one-day operation, according to a sheriff's office statement.
Norfolk mayor, Commonwealth's Attorney clash over prosecuting retail theft
NORFOLK, Va. — More needs to be done to crack down on retail theft, according to Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander. But the city's Commonwealth's Attorney Ramin Fatehi says his office is already on top of that, and he’s already asked the city for more staffing and resources so his office can do more.
The mayor made comments on the issue while presenting the annual State of the City address on Friday.
"Across the nation, businesses are experiencing shoplifting at levels that cause items to be placed behind locked panels," Alexander said.
Kroger borrows key part of Target, Costco playbook
Consumer behaviors are changing in the wake of lingering inflation. And while they're hurting retailers and restaurants, grocery stores are poised to benefit.
While the Consumer Price Index reports that food costs are up across the board, the cost of food away from home, which includes restaurants, rose twice as much as the cost of groceries in February.
Given that increase, consumers may be even less inclined to spend their money dining out.
Reporting to the Loss Prevention & Inventory Control Manager, the Inventory Control Associate supports retail stores and corporate partners in the areas of inventory control and physical inventory. The Inventory Control Associate serves as the primary contact for the purposes of physical inventory and inventory control.
He or She will be responsible for improving controls in item movement, shrinkage management and physical inventory, leading to a reduction in shrink for all retail channels. The ideal candidate will be somebody who understands the responsibilities of a retail location from both sides: as a manager, and as a support team member. This person needs to be proactive, reactive, and an excellent communicator, capable of flawless retail support skills.
Virtual dressing room global market to hit $42M by 2030
The global market for virtual dressing room for e-commerce is projected to hit $4.165 million by 2030 with an annual growth rate of 14.2% in the next five years.
The top driving factors are shoppers seeking immersive apparel experiences and technology providing such experiences, according to a Valuates market report.
"By merging user-centered design with robust data analytics, virtual dressing rooms address a broad range of consumer needs, from personalized sizing to styling suggestions. Brands that invest in these experiences often report higher customer satisfaction, lower product returns, and increased sales," states a press release on the market's data.
Amazon driver calls 911 after woman whispers 'Help me' during delivery; man arrested
VERO BEACH, Fla. (WKRC) - A woman whispered "Help me" to an Amazon delivery driver after she answered the door, leading to the arrest of a man.
The Amazon delivery driver called 911 on Friday, March 28, reporting a woman in distress at a home, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.
Upon arrival, a deputy observed the woman with visible red marks on her neck, sitting on the porch with 43-year-old Frank Mandolini.
The woman reported that she and Mandolini, who were previously married and still living together, had an altercation after she accused him of using electronics to "talk to other women or watch porn," PEOPLE reported.
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