Target is tackling its supply chain headaches with some tech magic, focusing on inventory management and trailer unloading. Chief Supply Chain Officer Gretchen McCarthy revealed that AI is being used to improve forecasting and decision-making, aiming to avoid those dreaded empty shelves. They're also testing automation to make unloading trailers less of a nightmare for store leaders. All this tech talk is to keep customers happy with reliable in-stock items. [Supply Chain Dive]
In the digital age, retail is getting a major makeover thanks to tech wizardry and changing consumer demands. Sai Kiran Mannava's blueprint highlights the importance of AI for smarter operations, automation for efficiency, and robust digital infrastructure for seamless experiences. Plus, with a focus on cybersecurity and sustainability, retailers can keep customers happy and the planet green. It's all about staying adaptable and innovative to lead the retail pack. [Tech Bullion]
Retail crime is skyrocketing, with violence and abuse incidents hitting 2,000 per day in 2023/24, up from 1,300 the previous year. Theft is also at an all-time high, costing retailers over £2 billion annually. Experts suggest a mix of tech solutions like AI-driven security, body-worn cameras, and SmartWater forensic marking to combat these issues. The future of retail security almost seems sci-fi, with AI, predictive analytics, and collaboration networks leading the charge. [Specialty Foor Magazine]
Apple Intelligence: A Disappointing Debut
Tom Meehan, CEO CONTROLTEK comments@talklpnews.com
Apple Intelligence, Apple’s latest AI-powered suite, has had a rocky debut plagued by misinformation, inaccuracies, and underwhelming functionality.
Its most glaring problem was with AI-generated news summaries that misrepresented vital information, which led to the temporary disabling of the feature. Another apparent failure is with basic tasks, like converting one kind of money to another or generating a list of ideas. These kinds of things are supposed to be easy for an AI and better at these tasks than a human. When users encountered these failures, they asked: If Apple is using the so-called "smart" AI, what would it be like to use the dumb AI?
As an iPhone and iPad user, I was really looking forward to the integration of Apple Intelligence, but I am disappointed with its current state. Features that should make daily tasks easier instead feel cumbersome and unreliable. The increased storage requirements only add to the dissatisfaction. There is the potential for Apple to refine and improve its AI capabilities over time, but as it stands, Apple Intelligence feels more like an unfinished experiment than a game-changing innovation.
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Editor's Note:From recent interviews and conversations with industry executives, here's a few headlines that are all the buzz > check them out and see if you agree. Have some industry buzz? Let me know here.
Governor Hochul Signs Amendment Extending Key Effective Date for the New York Retail Worker Safety Act
In what might have been a Valentine’s Day gift for retail employers across New York, on February 14, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law an amendment to the New York Retail Worker Safety Act (S8358B/A8947C, Chapter 308).
Among other things, the amendment extends the effective date of the act’s workplace violence prevention policy, training, and notice provisions from March 4, 2025, to June 2, 2025.
Quick Hits
On February 14, 2025, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law an amendment to the New York Retail Worker Safety Act, extending the effective date for workplace violence prevention policies, training, and notice provisions from March 4, 2025, to June 2, 2025.
‘We’re going to support’ small businesses: DA says California’s Prop. 36 should help reduce retail thefts
LOS ANGELES – A new California state law aims to minimize theft and retail crime, and while some officials applaud its passage, many residents doubt the measure’s effectiveness.
The law allows law enforcement to charge people with felonies for thefts under $950 if that person has two prior theft convictions. It’s a change aimed at helping stave off burglaries that largely affect local businesses.
“I think it’s a way of telling the businesses that we are going to do our jobs, and we’re going to support you,” said Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman. “Our job is to make sure that that’s done without the small business getting ripped off or getting stolen from.”
However, some residents and shop owners doubt that the new law will actually make a difference.
Bill to Clarify Punishment Over Gift Card Theft Introduced
A bill to clarify the punishment over stealing gift cards and whether the theft would be a misdemeanor or felony, was introduced in the Assembly over the weekend.
Assembly Bill 710, authored by Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks), would alter gift card thefts to make it more in line with Proposition 47.
Specifically, AB 710 would “make a person who, with the intent to defraud, acquires or retains possession of a gift card or gift card redemption information, or uses an acquired or forged card, without the consent of the cardholder, card issuer, or gift card seller, or, with the intent to defraud, devises a scheme to obtain a gift card or gift card redemption information from a cardholder, card issuer, or gift card seller by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations...
'Wardrobing' is on the rise, especially during summer, where shoppers buy, wear, and return items like swimwear. Optoro's CEO, Amena Ali, highlights the challenge for retailers in managing these returns quickly to avoid markdowns. Retailers are fighting back with AI and stricter return policies to curb this trend and protect their profits. [MSN]
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Two people were arrested for allegedly shoplifting more than $38,000 worth of clothes from an Atlanta store, according to police.
Atlanta police said they responded to a shoplifting call at the Lululemon store on Howell Mill Road NW in West Midtown shortly after 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8.
Store employees reportedly told police they saw a woman stealing clothes. Police said the woman, identified as 35-year-old Jennifer Carolina Montano Bautista, “was able to inconspicuously walk out of the front door” as officers were walking in.
Police, however, said they soon arrested Montano Bautista after a brief foot chase outside the store.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A man has been charged with shooting and killing a 35-year-old man in a convenience store parking lot earlier this month.
Metro Police announced Tuesday that William Montez Hall, 38, was arrested for an incident on Feb. 2 that left Ivorie Lee dead in the parking lot of the Z-Mart on Dickerson Pike.
Allegedly, Lee and Hall had planned to meet in this market to settle an amount of money that Hall owed Lee. Police say as they were talking outside of the building, Lee punched Hall in the face, leading to Hall pulling out a gun and shooting Lee
.
Hall allegedly fled the scene while Lee was taken to the hospital, where he died on arrival.
Hall has been charged with criminal homicide and unlawful gun possession by a convicted felon.
The landscape of immigration enforcement is undergoing a dramatic transformation in 2025.
With President Trump's recent executive orders signaling a renewed focus on worksite enforcement, employers across industries must prepare for what many experts anticipate will be the most aggressive immigration enforcement environment in recent history.
March Networks Celebrates 25 Years of Security and Intelligent Video
Global cloud-based intelligent video surveillance provider March Networks is celebrating its 25th anniversary this month, marking a quarter of a century “at the forefront of the security and business intelligence industries.”
In that time, the company has prided itself on “driving innovation in video surveillance and delivering solutions that help businesses around the world secure and improve their operations,” the company announcement says.
In this role, you will lead Gap Inc.’s Executive Protection (EP) operations in an energized, fast-paced environment working to protect the company’s leadership team by program building, coordinating the deployment of EP team members, and conducting protective intelligence activities. The Senior Manager of Executive Protection (EP) Operations will employ strong functional expertise to lead the development of long-term program strategies as well as short-term goals to drive the professionalization and formalization of Gap Inc.’s EP program while providing day-to-day oversight of the EP program. This position will be the primary point of contact for corporate leadership for management of all matters relating to the security of senior executive leadership.
An Aussie restaurant has defended a controversial marketing tactic targeting drivers after a debate erupted over whether the move was annoying or creative.
Burger restaurant New York Minute placed 1,000 notices that resemble parking 'fines' on cars to promote their new chain in the Melbourne suburb of Altona, which opened in January.
One driver, who spotted the notice on his car after parking at his local gym, described the scene as "interesting".
The note states "this is not a fine" and goes on to explain that instead of getting a ticket, those who receive it have "scored a free burger" redeemable at their Altona branch. The penalty, it says, is to "experience the taste".
Joann Fabrics, headquartered in Hudson, Ohio, is the latest retailer to announce it will close stores in 2025, following Big Lots, Macy's,Kohl's, JCPenney and more.
USA TODAY reports that the closures are part of a years-long trend around the country, which is forcing department stores to downsize following continued economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the prevalence of online shopping.
Here's a look at some of the companies closing stores this year.
Joann Fabrics, headquartered in Hudson, Ohio, to close 500 of nearly 850 stores in 49 states Ohio-based Joann is making deep cuts, planning to close 500 of its 850 fabric and craft stores in 49 states as part of its ongoing bankruptcy, the company announced in February.
Asia-Pacific stocks traded mixed Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump proposed tariffs “in the neighborhood of 25%” on autos, semiconductors and pharmaceutical imports.
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 ended the day 0.27% lower at 39,164.61, while the broader Topix index was fell 0.3% to 2,767.25. The country had reported a two-year high trade deficit.
Business sentiment for Japanese manufacturers rose for the second month in February, results from the Reuters Tankan poll indicates. The manufacturers’ sentiment index rose to plus 3 — its highest level since November — from plus 2 in January.
In South Korea, the Kospi ended 1.7% higher at 2,671.52, while the small-cap Kosdaq advanced 0.6% to close at 778.27.
Shares of Capital One gained 1.6%, while Discover Financial Services dipped 0.3%, after the two companies said their respective shareholders have voted to approve Capital One’s acquisition of Discover.
Toll Brothers shares fell more than 5% in the premarket after the homebuilder reported fiscal first-quarter results that missed the mark. The company earned $1.75 per share on revenue of $1.84 billion. Analysts polled by LSEG expected a profit of $2.04 per share on revenue of $1.91 billion. Home deliveries came in at 1,991, below a StreetAccount forecast of 2,060.
STMicroelectronics - U.S.-listed shares of the semiconductor company climbed 4.1% on the back of Jefferies’ upgrade to buy from hold. Jefferies told clients to expect a rebound in the company’s financials after the first quarter of 2025.
A popular camera store in the San Francisco Bay Area has suffered a violent break-in after robbers rammed a car through the shop front.
Looking Glass Photo in Berkeley suffered significant damage to the building and at least $50,000 worth of merchandise was stolen, according to Jen Waicukauski, the store’s owner.
Waicukauski tells Berkeleyside that she received an alert about the robbery on her phone in the early hours of Sunday morning. Logging into the app to check the live security footage, she spotted three figures inside her shop. She shouted at them through the app, and they left soon after.
Waicukauski says Berkley police arrived in under 10 minutes; the robbers were inside for just a few minutes but it was enough time to get away with thousands of dollars worth of equipment.
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