Retail crime is driving shoppers online, with about a third of consumers seeing it as a big issue. A survey shows 58% prefer online shopping due to crime concerns, and 63% who've witnessed retail crime are more likely to shop online. Shoppers are noticing increased security measures like locked shelves and video cameras, but many still support stronger tech solutions like license plate recognition cameras and recorded security videos to deter theft.
Health and safety in the retail, leisure, and hospitality sectors are no joke. Non-compliance can cost you big time, both in cash and reputation. Effective management boosts employee morale and productivity, while poor practices can lead to a cascade of other risks. The article offers practical steps to improve health and safety, from updating documentation to leveraging technology. Stay safe, stay compliant, and keep those insurance premiums low!
A Concord convenience store turned into a scene from an action movie when a suspect, Lucas Ray Smith, tried to rob the place with a shotgun. One brave employee tried to wrestle the gun away, but it was the second employee who saved the day by shooting Smith with a legally owned handgun. The store owner and customers were relieved that no one else was hurt, and the police confirmed the employees won't face charges.
A grassroots organization called The People's Union USA is encouraging U.S. residents not to spend any money Friday, which many are referring to as an "economic blackout" to protest what the group’s founder sees as the malign influence of billionaires, big corporations and both major political parties on the lives of working Americans.
The day is also in response to some major corporations, like Target, who have rolled back diversity, equity and inclusion programs after President Donald Trump signed executive orders to cut those policies. The retailer, which has backed DEI efforts aimed at uplifting Black and LGBTQ+ people in the past, announced in January it was rolling back its DEI initiatives.
Editor's note: Predictions are mixed if this day will have any impact at all - and most experts suggest the effort is definitely not sustainable.
A new survey by Flock Safety and Zencity reveals that organized retail crime (ORC) is driving shoppers online, with 58% preferring e-commerce due to safety concerns. Consumers are noticing more security measures like locked shelves and video cameras, and 45% support using tech to combat ORC. Retailers are investing in AI-powered security to curb the $121 billion loss from theft in 2023. Flock Safety's tech is helping solve 2,000 crimes daily, making shopping safer and more convenient.
Certainly not to make light of crime -- but also looking for something a little lighter to cover this Friday -- I'm often intrigued about the carelessness of celebrities.
Ever wonder why with the world as their oyster, some celebrities just can't help themselves? I do. Not to say I'm a little jelly of their (seemingly) carefree existence atop their piles of money.....but, the financial freedom would certainly be nice, you know?
And if you're offended by this column, lighten up. And have a little smile this Friday - why not it's almost happy hour...just ask Justin.
Justin Timberlake
Morgan Whalen
Zach Bryan
Adopting a Holistic Security Mindset for Ecommerce
Ecommerce cybersecurity and fraud prevention are almost always handled by different teams, but that doesn’t mean they’re completely independent activities. When customer data is exposed in a cyberattack, criminals can use it to commit fraud. Fraudsters can steal employee credentials to expose customer data. Both kinds of incidents affect the bottom line and both can impact the company’s image with customers.
A recent study found that three-quarters of consumers will avoid a brand after a cybersecurity issue, and more than 40% assume that brands are to blame when an incident occurs. Another survey of online consumer attitudes found that 84% won’t go back to an ecommerce site after a fraud experience there. Because a problem in one area of your business can cause security or fraud issues in another, it can be helpful to take an end-to-end look at your security and fraud prevention practices to identify gaps and make improvements.
Man Accused of Impersonating Police Officer While Shoplifting at New Hyde Park Target, Cops Say
The Third Squad reports that a Flushing, Queens man was arrested for impersonating a police officer and stealing merchandise from a New Hyde Park Target store.
Authorities say that Yunzhi Xie, 43, was stopped by store loss prevention employees as he was attempting to leave the Target located at 1400 Hempstead Turnpike with merchandise he did not pay for at 10:06 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 21.
Xie then allegedly identified himself as a police officer and displayed a law enforcement shield; police were called to the scene, and the subsequent investigation revealed that Xie was not, in fact, a law enforcement officer.
At that time, the supect was placed under arrest without incident.
Xie is charged with second-degree criminal impersonation and petit larceny. He was released on an appearance ticket and is scheduled to appear in First District Court in Hempstead on Thursday, March 13.
2 Charged In Organized Retail Thefts In North Haven: State Police
NORTH HAVEN, CT — Two people have been arrested in connection with organized retail thefts in North Haven, according to Connecticut State Police.
Police said a detective with the Connecticut State Police Statewide Organized Crime Investigative Task Force (SOCITF) was alerted in April 2024 by a New England Regional Organized Retail Crime Investigator for a large home supply store of a series of thefts occurring across the New England region.
The investigator reported that a man and a woman were responsible for the thefts, according to police.
Through video surveillance footage, images, and records of multiple previous apprehensions, police said the investigator identified one of the suspects as 39-year-old David Pasquariello of North Haven.
Four charged in $500,000 South Florida retail theft scheme
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has announced felony charges against four individuals accused of orchestrating a large-scale organized retail theft scheme in South Florida that resulted in the loss of more than $500,000 worth of electronics.
The suspects—Giffton St. Abuyn White, Sheldon Beswick Brown, Christopher Palmer, and Samuel Drummond—allegedly intercepted UPS shipments of cellphones and other electronics bound for T-Mobile stores.
Authorities say the stolen merchandise was then resold to a third party for profit.
4 retail theft suspects taken into custody in Spring Hill
SPRING HILL, Tenn. (WKRN) — Authorities took down an alleged gang of retail thieves in the middle of Spring Hill’s shopping district Tuesday afternoon.
It all began when loss prevention officers contacted the Spring Hill Police Department (SHPD) about a group of people reportedly seen shoplifting at local stores.
Law enforcement found the suspects in a Chevy Malibu rental car with Florida plates on Main Street.
The vehicle was stuck in traffic, so officers decided to execute a felony takedown.
Portland retailers struggle with surging shoplifting
PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) - Businesses across Portland are feeling the weight of rising retail theft, an issue that has only worsened since the pandemic. For some, the losses have been too much to bear.
In the past year, major retailers like Target and REI shut down stores in Portland, citing unsustainable crime levels.
Smaller businesses aren’t faring much better.
For Nicole Whitesell, theft has become an unavoidable part of doing business. She owns Adorn, a boutique with multiple locations around Portland. It used to be four stores —until she shut down her downtown location after repeated break-ins.
The Senior Manager, Safety provides strategic direction and daily oversight to the salaried cast members involved in developing, implementing, and sustaining essential safety programs within designated business areas. This role necessitates the application of sound technical judgment in directing the identification, assessment, analysis, and resolution of a broad spectrum of safety issues across various businesses. The Senior Manager, Safety reports directly to the Director, Safety Services and leads a team of approximately 10 to 15 safety professionals.
Why some fashion retailers are looking to diversify their sources
The import tariff debate remains hot, even as President Trump delayed the imposition of proposed 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico by 30 days. For most fashion brands, the bigger hit will come from any tariff increases from China, which remains one of the biggest sources for textile and fabrics.
It’s why some fast fashion retailers such as Shein are getting ahead of any permanent changes and are reportedly urging many of their apparel suppliers to diversify production to countries like Vietnam.
The move has been in the works for a few months, and to sweeten the deal, the retailer is also offering “higher procurement prices” of up to 30%, Bloomberg reported.
Shein is one of the biggest fashion players to consider diversifying its sources, and in a recent Retail Brew report, experts agreed it was a smart move.
Dollar General And Walgreens Seem To Be In A Race On Who Can Close More Stores
Dollar General has faced a significant decline in its store openings. The discount chain, which opened 72 stores in the summer of 2024, has now reversed its momentum. In January, the company closed 27 stores and opened just nine. This marks a dramatic shift from the previous year when they only closed five stores after opening more than 60. In total, Dollar General closed 82 locations in January.
Walgreens has also struggled, closing 36 stores across the East Coast, South, and Midwest in January. The company opened just one new location during the same period. In November and December, Walgreens shut down 58 and 12 stores, respectively. Combining January's closures for both Walgreens and Dollar General, 109 stores were shut down.
The retail sector, in general, has been facing tough times, with several companies reporting lower-than-expected numbers, as relayed by Supermarket News. The situation has raised concerns about the viability of large chains as the retail landscape shifts.
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