Macy’s is closing 150 underperforming stores by 2026 as part of its revitalization plan, with 66 locations already named, including iconic stores in Brooklyn and Long Island. The company aims to focus resources on its remaining 350 stores, enhancing product offerings and customer experience. Macy’s CEO stated that while closing stores is difficult, it is necessary for long-term profitability and sustainable growth.
In the latest episode of the grocery store drama, Kroger has countersued Albertsons, claiming that Albertsons' secretive antics with C&S Wholesale Grocers sabotaged their $25 billion merger. Kroger insists they're the good guys, working hard to get regulatory approval, while Albertsons accuses them of dodging responsibilities and failing to pay up. Meanwhile, a federal judge blocked the merger, agreeing with the FTC that it would kill competition.
Starbucks workers have been unionizing since 2021, with over 11,000 baristas across 550 stores now part of Workers United, and Ohio playing a key role in the movement. This week, many union members will meet in person for the first time at a closed convention in Cleveland, reflecting the state's growing influence in labor organizing. Despite ongoing struggles to secure a contract, workers have already won wage increases and benefits, and remain optimistic about achieving more gains through collective bargaining.
In a tragic turn of events, a shooting in a Jacksonville store left four people dead, including the suspect who decided to play hide-and-seek with the police. Mayor Donna Deegan and Councilwoman Ju'Coby Pittman both expressed their sorrow over the incident, which has left the community shaken. As investigators try to piece together the motive behind this senseless act, the incident adds fuel to the ongoing fiery debate over gun control in the U.S.
AI startups are transforming retail in India by streamlining inventory management, automating checkouts, and enhancing customer experiences. Companies like Onebeat optimize inventory with real-time AI-driven decisions, while Brysk enables cashierless checkouts using computer vision and deep learning. Startups like Bigthinx and Bizom further enhance the industry with virtual try-on technology and retail intelligence solutions, improving efficiency, sales, and customer engagement.
I often fondly remember my days as a collegiate athlete (tennis) and wonder why my skills on the pickleball court don't always translate (read: I'm still kicking ass, however my knees don't work quite as well as they used to.)
I digress.
Every March I watch March Madness with utmost respect for these athletes playing under such monumental pressure and it makes me wonder....there must be some leadership lessons we all could learn from the hardwoods to the boardroom.
As the successful basketball teams in the tourney know, it's do or die. There is no time to take a breath or any ball possession "off." Every. Moment. Counts.
As loss prevention and risk management professionals - you know this all too well. Every day you're making sure each employee and executive is as safe as they can be AND as productive as they can be to reduce shrink. I would imagine this is a lot of pressure. And as I sit here trying to think of any suggestion that might help -- I'm drawn back to the team. These players relying on their teammates to step-up and make shots, block opponents and play by the rules. Can you rely on your teammates? If not, what's stopping you and how can you fix it? Training? (of course I'd say that) More education? That heart-to-heart you've been meaning to have?
Refuse to Play by Your Opponents Rules
Successful basketball games often rely on the offensive rhythm of the other team being spot on. The UConn Huskies recently were grinding away on the Gators' such rhythm and almost won. This is what we do as loss prevention and risk management executives every day - disrupt the rhythm of our opponents. Whether it's thieves or problem individuals making false claims against the company - you're there. As the last line of defense between these opponents and organizational victory.
Consider, do you have all the tools you need to win? If not, how can you obtain them and at what cost? Constructing a winning strategy is about staying ahead of these opponents is about constantly learning and developing new tactics and approaches. Have you collaborated with your team recently to brainstorm or maybe a trusted solution provider?
Execution is Everything
As collegiate athletes know, practice isn't the tournament. And at tournament time, execution is everything. The only way your team is left standing at the end is perfect execution and a little bit of luck. How's your execution?
Are you looking at the small details that might make the difference in that shrink number? That extra numeral that matters in a pass/fail audit? What's going to create your departments Cinderella story this quarter? This year?
In the final minutes of the game -- or financial quarter - is where winners and losers are made. What are you focused on?
So, as you watch March Madness this weekend remember who you're rooting for and how their preparation, execution, and performance under pressure easily relates to your day-to-day.
My college tennis coach used to yell, "Remember the 5 P's Bradley!" (which are: Poor Planning Produces Poor Performance) I've always taken this to heart as it is a fabulous lesson -- even on the Pickleball court.
Hope your brackets are performing better than mine!
DA Krasner reveals new retail theft policy a year after announcing it would change
PHILADELPHIA - Over a year ago, District Attorney Larry Krasner announced that his retail theft policy would change,.
On Wednesday he made the new policy public.
What they're saying: "We need to have a policy that recognizes these profound differences in people where mercy is justified, and where incarceration is necessary," he said.
The change comes after he faced heavy scrutiny for his original policy, which stated to charge retail theft cases as summary offenses unless the value of the items stolen exceeded $500, or if the defendant had a long history of retail theft convictions.
UPS employee arrested in San Benito for stealing $200K worth of packages
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Cameron County District Attorney’s Office arrested a UPS employee accused of being involved in a theft scheme.
San Benito resident Armando Garcia, 37, was arrested for a theft scheme at the UPS Brownsville Distribution Center.
The investigation began when UPS Security alerted the Cameron County DA’s office of missing packages from the UPS Brownsville location.
Investigators tracked the stolen devices to Garcia’s home in San Benito.
Authorities are asking for the public’s help locating a vehicle they believe is linked to a deadly shooting at Ebony General Store on March 21 in the Ebony community of Brunswick County.
According to Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, the shooting was reported around 8:30 p.m. When deputies arrived on scene, they found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. One subject, identified as Jakwon Andre Bullock, 20, of Ebony was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Captain Joey Lopresti with the Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office.
Winder restaurant owner arrested, charged with rape and kidnapping of employee
WINDER, Ga. — A Winder restaurant owner is accused of giving an underaged employee alcohol and raping her, police said.
Daniel Barrios Catalan, 46, was booked into the Barrow County Jail on March 7.
Barrios Catalan, manager and co-owner of the Latin Flavors restaurant in Winder, is accused of kidnapping and raping his 18-year-old employee.
A mandated reporter at a local hospital reported the allegation to the Winder Police Department when the victim came in for treatment following the incident, police said.
Man accused of filming woman in Prince William County Walmart restroom, police say
CHERRY HILL, Va. (DC News Now) — Prince William County police are looking for a man accused of taking photos or videos of a woman in the bathroom of the Walmart on Richmond Highway in Cherry Hill.
“That’s very traumatizing. I hope she’s OK,” said Keren Promedi.
The incident happened just before 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 22.
Prince William County Police Department (PWCPD) investigators said a 49-year-old woman saw a phone being held underneath the stall in the restroom by a man, who immediately left the store and got into a grey Nissan Rogue.
Former Bluffton convenience store employee charged with lottery fraud by SLED
A former Bluffton convenience store employee was charged March 13 by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division with lottery fraud, the agency said in a March 21 news release.
Cuvaious Nujorie Foster, 21, whose address was listed a Greenville on arrest warrants, was charged with attempting to influence a game by coercion and tampering and intent to defraud.
The South Carolina Education Lottery requested the SLED investigation.
Store Loss Prevention Managers are responsible for leading Loss Prevention functions within a specific location and for partnering with Store Operations in an effort to prevent company loss. You will be responsible for driving company objectives in profit and loss control, sales performance, customer satisfaction, and shrink results. This includes networking with law enforcement, loss prevention professionals and other retailers to identify and create comprehensive case files for repeat external theft perpetrators and minimize exposure to loss and fraud. This position will further support the District Loss Prevention Manager(s) by conducting awareness training, root cause analysis and threat assessments.
Barc-ee’s Responds to Buc-ee’s Trademark Infringement Lawsuit
Barc-ee’s, a dog park and retail business in Marshfield, Missouri, that is the subject of a trademark infringement lawsuit filed by mega-convenience-store chain Buc-ee’s Ltd., has closed temporarily, claiming “unexpected construction and electrical issues,” in a social media post before addressing Buc-ee’s allegations.
“Another matter has come to light that we know many are well aware of, a lawsuit filed against us regarding our name likeness and logo,” the post adds.
3 men arrested in Dauphin County, accused of stealing nearly $30K in tools from stores
Three men from New Jersey were arrested and charged in Dauphin County this week after police said they stole nearly $30,000 in goods from multiple Home Depot locations in Pennsylvania.
Lower Paxton Township police were sent to the Home Depot at 5101 Jonestown Road just before noon on Tuesday for an active retail theft, according to a police report.
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