Taylor's Law is a proposed bill inspired by the tragic death of Taylor North, who was killed while working at a gas station. Her family is advocating for better protections for retail workers, like plexiglass barriers, to prevent similar incidents. State representative Andy Whitt supports the initiative, emphasizing the need for common-sense safety measures. The family continues to seek justice and encourages public support through a petition.
Broad-based tariffs are back, and they're ready to mess with U.S. consumer products and retail companies even more than in 2018. S&P Global Ratings warns that with inflation and a weak consumer environment, passing on price hikes to customers will be tougher. Retailers will need to get creative in handling these extra costs, as relying solely on price increases won't cut it. The unpredictability of U.S. policy adds a layer of uncertainty, making it a wild ride for the economy and credit conditions.
Amazon workers in North Carolina voted against joining a union, with about three-quarters saying 'no thanks.' This is a win for Amazon, which prefers a direct relationship with its employees. Union officials, however, claim Amazon used intimidation tactics. This vote follows a recent union win at a Philadelphia Whole Foods, which Amazon is also contesting.
Mettler-Toledo's earnings call turned into a tariff talk show, with analysts bombarding executives with questions about Trump's trade policies. The word 'tariff' is making a comeback on S&P 500 earnings calls, hitting its highest frequency since 2020. Immigration and new acronyms like 'DOGE' are also hot topics, as companies navigate the unpredictable landscape of Trump's second term.
King Soopers, owned by Kroger, got a partial win in court to limit union protests but couldn't stop them entirely. The judge said picketers can't block trucks or set up tents, but they can still picket. The union, representing 23,000 workers, is striking over unfair labor practices, and King Soopers has filed multiple lawsuits to try and stop them. The union calls the lawsuits 'frivolous' and is fighting back hard.
Today’s asset protection leaders are increasingly being called upon to tackle complex challenges. We’re on the front lines combatting things like organized retail crime and gift card fraud and we’re charged with mitigating threats to employee and customer safety. Through my own experience working in-house with retail AP teams, and now as Vice President of Asset Protection for the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), I’ve seen firsthand the enormous weight of this field with rapidly evolving challenges and high stakes.
I’ve also seen the power of collaboration in making real progress on tackling these challenges. Bringing together like-minded stakeholders who all share a commitment to a safer future for our industry only makes us stronger. That’s what drives us at RILA, and its what helps us shape the agenda for our annual Retail Asset Protection Conference.
This year, we’re uniting leading retailers, law enforcement, and an expanding ecosystem of industry partners April 27-30 in Washington, DC for a conference focused on innovation and impact. We’re building on the momentum of our ongoing Vibrant Communities Initiative and looking for more ways to tap into the collaborative spirit of our industry to chart a path forward on our biggest challenges.
This conference isn't just another industry event. It's where retail AP leaders unite to tackle shared challenges and drive real change. With educational sessions curated specifically for retail AP professionals at all stages of their career, RILA’s Retail Asset Protection Conference is an excellent forum for ensuring your team is prepared to navigate whatever lies ahead. Attendees will gain practical solutions for theft prevention, ORC mitigation, ongoing gift card fraud threats, and workplace safety that you can implement right away.
It's also an incredible entry point into our collaborative community of elite AP practitioners ready and willing to share their experiences and best practices. At RILA we like to acknowledge that retailers are all competitors. But at the Retail Asset Protection Conference, we’re on the same team: exploring, sharing, and learning to lift the entire industry.
There’s no better opportunity to connect with innovators, learn from industry veterans, and map out your team’s strategy for success in the heart of our nation’s capital, where retail security and policy intersect. Every year, the relationships and initiatives started at the Retail Asset Protection Conference shape our industry’s future.
If any of these ideas excite you, I encourage you to make plans to join us as we partner for a safer future together. Learn more here.
Cracking down on organized retail theft: Lawmaker hopes to lengthen perpetrators' prison sentences
OLYMPIA, Wash. — A Redmond cannabis store can't catch a break. Hashtag Cannabis suffered its sixth, forced-entry break-in Friday morning in just the last year and a half alone.
"What looked like Kia cars-- they used one of them to try to get in," said co-owner Logan Bowers. "Every break-in is $20,000-30,000, whether or not they get in. They were still able to damage the building, even though they weren't able to get in."
Bowers is far from the only victim of organized retail theft in Washington. According to Forbes, the Evergreen State is most impacted by retail theft of any state in the U.S. It's why Bowers is among the voices sharing support for a bill heard on Monday that aims to keep organized retail thieves in prison for longer.
Tennessee woman banned from all Walmart locations due to shoplifting
Ashley Cross, a Tennessee resident, is now banned from entering any of Walmart's retail stores nationwide after a shoplifting spree, according to a Daily Mail U.K. report.
Cross was caught using a barcode to scan multiple items for $1 at Walmart self-checkouts. Memphis police caught her stealing a pair of jeans, a t-shirt and a pair of boots among other things. According to the police report, the total haul was valued at $137.34; however, due to Cross's history of theft, she is now placed on a list that bans her from entering any Walmart again.
"We value our customers and associates and want them to have a pleasant shopping experience," a Walmart representative told the news outlet. "Though rare, there are instances when someone is no longer welcome in our stores."
Trump’s Mexico and Canada tariffs could add nearly $6,000 to the average cost of a car, by one estimate
Americans shopping for cars may need to fork over thousands more if President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs go into effect, according to data from investment bank Benchmark Co.
Analyst Cody Acree estimated that the average sticker price would rise about $5,790, based on the impact of the currently paused 25% levies on cars and components from Mexico and Canada. That would raise the cost of an average new car above $54,500, or nearly 12% higher than in 2024.
“We believe the Auto sector is the most exposed to the risks of increased tariffs,” Acree wrote in a note to clients, “given its sheer size of trade dollars, the complexity of the intertwined supply and manufacturing channel that has been cultivated over decades, and the sheer number of our companies that participate in support of this key consumer industry.”
2 Arrested in connection with organized retail theft ring in Riverside County
Two men were arrested last week for allegedly organizing a series of retail thefts in Moreno Valley that resulted in more than $20,000 in losses for several businesses.
The investigation began back in September 2024, at which point multiple businesses throughout the city were targeted by the suspect, who made off with a large cumulative amount of merchandise, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office.
Affidavit: Retail employee’s jaw broken by man stealing socks
A dollar store employee suffered a broken jaw after getting punched by a man suspected of stealing a package of socks.
Police arrested 32-year-old Nathanial Linker, of Las Vegas, and charged him with felony counts of robbery and aggravated battery. Linker also faces a felony escape charge for allegedly violating the conditions of court-ordered house arrest.
Sephora LP is constantly evolving to ensure we have products available to delight our clients. Our action-oriented Agents, Investigators and Managers employ leading edge technology in stores, distribution centers and our Field Support Center to positively impact bottom line results. With respect for all, we act safely to resolve theft situations without disrupting the client experience. We operate with transparency, celebrate openly and foster teamwork in pursuit of our goals.
As a District Loss Prevention Manager, you will be responsible for implementing programs to protect the company’s assets and ensure the safety of employees and clients in their assigned locations. Reporting to the Regional Loss Prevention Manager, you will hire, train and manage Store LP Investigators in their assigned locations.
Serial dollar store burglar caught in the act, says JSO
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man accused of robbing several dollar stores in Jacksonville has been arrested, according to police.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says the first break-in happened earlier this month at a dollar store on Blanding Blvd.
Surveillance video obtained by police reportedly showed 36-year-old Michael Wilt smashing the glass front door, breaking open a display case, and stealing cigarettes.
Similar cases were later reported at several other dollar stores in the area.
JSO says its District 4 Violent Crime Task Force managed to catch Wilt while staking out a store on 103rd street.
He was arrested on February 6th, according to JSO jail logs, after being observed breaking the front door of that location the same way.
The restaurant staffed solely by people who’ve experienced homelessness
Under the eye of a Michelin-starred chef, Home Kitchen is serving up the finest quality food alongside the chance for a marginalised group to transform their lives.
It’s 4pm on a Friday, and the staff at Home Kitchen, north London’s buzziest new restaurant, are prepping for another busy evening’s service. Front of house workers are scuttling around polishing silverware and, in the kitchens downstairs, ingredients are being sliced and diced for a busy night ahead. The air is thick with the scent of sizzling meat and punctuated by the clinking of cutlery and the chatter of reservations being taken over the phone.
Watching the glowing tableau, you’d assume Home Kitchen to be a fine dining establishment like any other. Once the home of long-standing institution Odette’s, the Primrose Hill eatery certainly has the plush interiors and expertly curated seasonal menu to compete with London’s best.
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