In a major crackdown on organized retail crime, West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department, along with other agencies, recovered over $4 million in stolen goods and arrested nine suspects. The operation targeted large-scale theft rings affecting local businesses, and also seized a hefty amount of cash. The suspects now face charges for grand theft and organized retail crime.
Metro Atlanta, Tennessee jewelry stores targeted in $1.7 million heist spree: trio sentenced Three men who went on a multi-state jewelry heist spree, swiping $1.7 million in bling, have been sentenced to long prison terms under Georgia’s RICO Act. Maykel Olides Hernandez, Javier Guerra-Morales, and Giorge Navea pleaded guilty to a slew of charges, including RICO violations and smash-and-grab burglary. Their high-stakes burglaries involved cutting holes in store roofs and disabling alarms, with the biggest haul being $1.3 million from a Cherokee County store. Along with their prison sentences, they owe $1.3 million in restitution and are banned from Cherokee County. [11 Alive]
Gap Embraces AI, Shifts Focus to ‘Continuous Improvement Through Innovation’ Gap Inc. is shifting gears from fixing the basics to embracing innovation, especially in AI, according to CEO Richard Dickson. After a year of steady sales and market share gains across its brands, Gap is ready to dive into AI to enhance customer experiences and productivity. CTO Sven Gerjets and the new Office of AI are leading the charge, aiming to monetize AI in various ways by 2025. Financially, Gap expects modest growth, while keeping a cautious eye on the dynamic market landscape. [PYMNTS]
This grocery store is all about fresh, in-house goodies like guacamole, mozzarella, and baked goods. But tariffs are throwing a wrench in their avocado and tequila game. They're scrambling to find new suppliers and keep prices steady, but avocados might get pricier. Customers are already feeling the pinch, and the store's doing its best to keep prices sharp.
US employers cut more jobs last month than any February since 2009 The Trump administration's budget slashing has led to a massive spike in job cuts, with February seeing the highest layoff plans since 2009. The newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is leading the charge, causing a ripple effect across various sectors. While the job market shows some resilience, the uncertainty is making businesses cautious about future hiring. Economists are keeping a close eye on upcoming reports to gauge the full impact. [CNN]
Our Industry Celebrates
International Women's Day March 8
The loss prevention industry celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD) via LinkedIn over the weekend that annually occurs on March 8. It is a global event recognizing the achievements of women and advocating for gender equality. It highlights the social, economic, cultural, and political contributions of women worldwide while raising awareness of the challenges they still face. Check out an International Women's Day historical timeline here.
In case you missed it, below are just a small sample of those posting about IWD around the industry (click on the thumbnail to read the full post and comments).
Barnes & Noble workers put it in the books with new union contracts for NYC locations in historic deal
In a historic moment for labor rights in the retail sector, workers at three Barnes & Noble stores in New York City have secured the company’s first union contracts nationwide.
This achievement comes on the heels of a robust organizing effort led by the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), which now represents nearly 40% of booksellers in the city.
Over 200 employees from the Union Square flagship store, as well as stores in Park Slope and West 82nd Street, ratified contracts that promise critical advancements in workplace safety, wage increases, and healthcare coverage.
7 medical emergencies every workplace should be prepared for
Under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act, employers are responsible for maintaining a safe working environment and are legally required to implement protocols that ensure a quick and effective response during emergencies.
The latest data from the Federated Employers Mutual Assurance Company (FEM) reported 6,157 accidents in South Africa’s construction industry alone in 2022, 48 of which were fatal and 581 that led to permanent disabilities. While these figures highlight the risks of workplace accidents, many businesses underestimate the medical emergencies that can arise from non-occupational incidents, such as sudden cardiac arrests or strokes, which can be equally life-threatening.
FBI uses social media, security cams to arrest men in Apex, Cary and Durham robberies
FBI agents used social media accounts and surveillance video to arrest several men following a string of convenience store robberies in Apex, Cary and Durham.
Three of the robberies occurred Jan. 23.
Subsequent robberies occurred Jan. 30 at the Han-Dee Hugo at 2703 N.C. Highway 55 in Cary and Feb. 1 at La Costena Market at 106 S. Guthrie Ave. in Durham.
According to a criminal complaint, on Jan. 23 around 5:15 a.m., three men entered the Family Fare on N. Duke Street. Surveillance video showed one man, later identified as Jose Bonilla, 20, of Durham, pointing a gun at the store clerk while a second man, identified as Angel Portillo-Romero, was seen stealing cash from the register.
You and the team will develop and implement Retail profit protection and risk mitigation plans and practices to achieve efficient and effective daily operational controls and business interruption restoration to help protect and maintain a safe environment as well as continuity of the revenue stream. Foster cross-functional collaboration with business units and regional security partners to help ensure programs are maintained in accordance with both enterprise and regional compliance requirements.
College Station Police Announce Recovering Almost $10,000 Dollars Of Stolen Retail Merchandise
A couple from Richardson, north of Dallas, is in the Brazos County jail following their arrests by College Station police on warrants that resulted in the recovery of nearly 900 items from multiple Walgreens stores.
CSPD’s Facebook page and online jail records says warrants against 21 year old Maria Stoican were issued by the police departments in the Dallas/Fort Worth suburbs of Arlington, Grapevine, Burleson, and Euless, along with Tyler and Texarkana, and in Rockford and Will County, Illinois.
Man, teen both charged as adults in shooting at Wadesboro dollar store: Police
WADESBORO, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Two teenagers are charged in a shooting at a Dollar General in late January, according to Wadesboro Police.
Just before 4 p.m. on Jan. 29, 2024, officers were called to the Dollar General on East Caswell Street, where they found two people shot. Both were taken to the hospital but expected to recover.
On Saturday, March 1, 2025, officers arrested 18-year-old Daqurius Price in connection with the shooting. He is charged with:
Felony aid and abet, Felony conspiracy, Misdemeanor carrying a concealed gun, Misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.
A 40-day Target boycott began this week. What to know about the protest and its potential impact
NEW YORK (AP) — A 40-day boycott of Target that calls for supporters to give up shopping at the company’s stores during the Lenten period kicked off this week, to protest the discount retailer’s decision to end some of its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
The Rev. Jamal Bryant, senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church near Atlanta, organized the “Target Fast” that began Wednesday — the first day of Lent — along with other faith and civil rights leaders.
FTC Announces First Consent Order With a Retail Tracking Company
The Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) today announced that it has entered into a proposed consent order with Nomi Technologies (“Nomi”), marking the agency’s first action against a retail tracking company. The announcement comes one year after the agency held a workshop on mobile device tracking in the retail environment.
Although the action may indicate increased interest in retail tracking, the FTC did not focus on the unique aspects of that technology but instead focused on a single statement in Nomi’s privacy policy that the FTC claimed was material and deceptive. Notably, two of the FTC’s five commissioners disagreed and dissented from the action.
CVS pharmacy employee busted for stealing opioid pills
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. — A Boynton Beach CVS pharmacy employee was busted for stealing opioid medication, a few pills at a time, over the course of two years.
Silvia Castellano, 65, confessed to police that she had been stealing medication for at least a year and consumed them when she was stressed.
According to the probable cause affidavit, CVS higher-ups became suspicious when they took inventory and realized they were missing hundreds of individual narcotics tablets of varying drug types. They provided police with security footage showing Castellano taking out a couple of tablets at a time from prescription bottles, then consuming them on the job.
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