Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has commuted the sentence of Wesley Shifflett, a Fairfax County police officer who was sentenced to three years in prison for shooting an unarmed shoplifter. Shifflett, who was convicted of reckless handling of a firearm, will now serve no time in prison. The decision has sparked outrage from Commonwealth attorney Steve Descano.
A man shot two women and then himself in a Greenville shopping plaza parking lot. The women, one of whom was his ex and the other a relative, are recovering in the hospital. The man didn't make it. Police pieced it together with CCTV and witness accounts.
Fiserv's Small Business Index for February 2025 held steady at 147, with consumers shifting their spending towards retailers and restaurants. While overall spending growth was flat, sectors like furniture, auto parts, and clothing saw a boost. Year-over-year, small business sales grew by 2.1%, but the average ticket size dropped, indicating people are buying more but spending less per purchase. Regional winners included North Dakota and Georgia, while New York saw a decline.
Retail is looking a bit different these days, with consumers pinching pennies more than ever thanks to high inflation. Prices are up across the board, and it's making shoppers less brand loyal and more desperate, leading to a spike in retail crime. Some stores are beefing up security, while others, like GO Outdoors, are getting creative with body cameras for employees. Other retailers like Walmart and Target could be next.
Retail crime continues to be a thorn in retailers’ collective side. It not only results in dwindling profits but a considerable chunk of consumers who are now simply afraid to shop in person, according to a new survey by Flock Safety and Zencity.
About one-third of consumers surveyed said they saw retail crime as a major concern, while 58% said it has made them want to shop online instead of in stores. The numbers are even more concerning among those who had actually witnessed a retail crime in person—63% of those consumers prefer online shopping as a result.
“The fact that 1 in 3 Americans view retail crime as a serious concern, and that concern is driving shopping behavior online is a crisis for vibrant neighborhoods and commercial districts,” Zencity CSO Michael Simon told Retail Brew via email. “When retailers close their doors, everyone suffers—from employees to community members to municipal governments that rely on the tax base from these businesses.”
Oscar Arango, former VP of assets protection at Target, agreed, adding that not only did retail crime make consumers more concerned about their safety, but it also hampered the overall shopping experience.
“Shoppers who once enjoyed browsing leisurely may now feel uneasy, leading them to adopt a more transactional mindset—getting what they need quickly and leaving, rather than spending time exploring products or making impulse purchases,” he told Retail Brew via email. “Additionally, increased retail crime often results in heightened security measures, such as locked merchandise, limited store hours, or restricted access to high-value items.
While these steps help prevent theft, they can also create friction in the shopping experience, frustrating consumers who value convenience and ease of access.”
Imposter scams continue to evolve, with fraudsters developing more sophisticated ways to manipulate unsuspecting victims. One particularly deceptive variation is the double imposter scam, where criminals deceive multiple victims in a chain of fraud, using one to launder money through the other. This article explores a real-life case of a double imposter scam, how these scams operate, red flags to watch for, and how to protect yourself.
A Job Too Good to Be True
A man, let's call him John, was struggling to find work and came across a promising job posting. It offered everything he needed: high pay, full benefits, stock options, and the ability to work from home. After multiple conversations with a supposed company employee, he was officially "hired" and received a confirmation letter. Everything seemed legitimate.
As part of setting up his home office, he was provided with checks to deposit into his personal account. These funds, he was told, were to be forwarded to a vendor who supplied company materials. He followed the instructions, depositing the checks and wiring money to the vendor. After sending multiple transactions totaling thousands of dollars, his bank account was frozen and flagged for fraudulent activity. The checks he deposited had been counterfeit.
A Second Victim in the Scam
But where had the money gone? This is where the scam took an even more deceptive turn. The "vendor" he was paying wasn’t a scammer in the traditional sense. It was another victim.
This second victim, let's call him Jake, believed he was working for an investment firm specializing in cryptocurrency. His role seemed simple: receive money on behalf of the company, deposit it into a crypto wallet, and forward it to another wallet controlled by the firm. As payment, he received a small percentage of the funds. In reality, he was unknowingly laundering money for scammers.
The Moment of Realization
When John’s account was frozen, he was convinced that Jake was the scammer. However, upon being contacted by law enforcement and informed he was part of a fraud scheme, Jake realized the truth. He understood what was happening and cooperated. He managed to recover a third of the stolen funds before it was too late. This partial recovery was a lifeline for John, who was nearly out of money.
How Imposter Scams Work
Imposter scams rely on deception and psychological manipulation. Fraudsters pose as trusted individuals or organizations to gain their victims' trust. Common imposter scams include:
Employment Scams – Fake job offers requiring victims to process transactions, deposit fraudulent checks, or purchase equipment.
Tech Support Scams – Callers claim to be from Microsoft, Apple, or other tech companies, convincing victims to provide remote access or pay unnecessary fees.
Government Impersonation Scams – Scammers pose as IRS agents, law enforcement, or Social Security representatives, demanding payments or personal information.
Romance Scams – Criminals create fake identities to build emotional connections before asking for money.
Investment Scams – Fraudsters promise high returns in cryptocurrency or stocks, using fake companies to steal funds.
Red Flags of an Imposter Scam
Recognizing an imposter scam early can save you from financial loss. Here are key warning signs:
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Loss Prevention Strategies for Retailers – 3 Best Ways to Positively Impact Your Bottom Line
Presented by
Implementing the right loss prevention strategy for your retail business is as crucial now than it was ever before.
For many retailers, both large and small, inventory shrink continues to affect their bottom line negatively. Equipping your business with the best plan, then, is vital. In this article, we’ll cover some of the best ways to identify the right loss prevention strategies for your business.
More than 250 arrested in Nashville on shoplifting charges so far in 2025
The Metro Nashville Police Department has released some of its 2025 statistics in its fight against shoplifting throughout the city.
MNPD reports that its Organized Retail Crime Unit has made 265 arrests so far in 2025.
Of those arrests, 64 felonies and 142 misdemeanor charges have been obtained.
“We take serial shoplifting very seriously & will prosecute those offenders,” MNPD said.
MNPD’s Organized Retail Crime Unit’s mission is to proactively reduce shoplifting, organized retail crime, and other retail-related store crimes and scams.
A Plan for Legal Weed Shops Failed. New York Wants Its Money Back.
In 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul pitched a $200 million effort to help small business owners with marijuana convictions open New York’s first licensed cannabis dispensaries.
State lawmakers approved $50 million to help the program, known as the Cannabis Social Equity Investment Fund, begin leasing and renovating stores that were supposed to open the following year. But just 22 of the 150 planned stores have opened since and some owners now say the state lured them into a debt trap.
The deal to set up the fund also contained a catch that largely went unnoticed until now.
Police Hunt Suspects After Olney Convenience Store Heist
Philadelphia police are investigating a violent robbery incident at a convenience store located in the Olney section of the city, seeking assistance from the public as they search for three suspects involved. The event unfolded at approximately 3 p.m. on February 20 along Ruscomb Street, where a woman reportedly refused to pay for her food and left the store with the items.
According to reports from both WPVI and KYW Newsradio, when the store owner confronted the woman about her unpaid bill, she returned shortly thereafter with two men. The situation escalated quickly; one of the men began physically assaulting the store owner.
San Francisco DA criticizes pre-trial release of man accused of Walgreens retail thefts totaling $16,000
San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins is criticizing the release of a 28-year-old man accused of stealing over $16,000 worth of merchandise from a Walgreens store in the city's Noe Valley neighborhood in February.
Pittsburg resident Marcos Smith-Pequeno was arraigned on Feb. 28 and pleaded not guilty to one count of organized retail grand theft with intent to sell on two or more separate occasions, two counts of second-degree commercial burglary, two counts of grand theft, two counts of petty theft with two or more priors, one count of vandalism, and one count of resisting arrest, the San Francisco District Attorney's Office said in a statement Monday.
Chipotle CEO says company will absorb any cost increases from tariffs
President Donald Trump’s plan to impose tariffs on America’s largest trading partners is sending ripples through the U.S. economy, as businesses and consumers alike prepare to pay.
Yet for Chipotle customers, it appears, for now, that it will be smoother sailing at the check-out register.
In an exclusive interview with the Sunday edition of “NBC Nightly News,” Chipotle CEO Scott Boatwright told anchor Hallie Jackson that, for now, the burrito purveyor intends to keep costs constant for consumers even as some of its cost of goods move higher.
“It is our intent as we sit here today to absorb those costs,” he said, though he cautioned pricing changes could eventually come if elevated costs become a “significant headwind.”
Layoff wave hits the US—Tech, retail, and energy giants cut jobs in 2025: Here’s the full list
US companies have ramped up layoffs across various industries as they seek to streamline operations amid economic uncertainties. This follows a similar trend observed last year, signaling a gradual slowdown in the labor market.
Companies announcing layoffs Several large corporations have announced workforce reductions in 2025, impacting thousands of employees across multiple industries.
Several major companies across various industries have announced significant layoffs, affecting thousands of employees. In the retail and consumer goods sector, Kohl's is cutting 9,600 jobs, Estee Lauder 7,000, and Starbucks 1,100.
As the Director, Security Engineering and Operations, you will build and manage a team of direct, indirect, and outsourced resources for the delivery of enterprise security operations services. You will provide operational leadership in delivery of security services, ability to adjust priorities based on changing operational needs. Additionally, you will maintain productive business relationships with service customers and partners. This position reports directly to CISO and serves as a trusted business partner with other Burlington organizations and as a security thought leader across the enterprise. The successful candidate will have demonstrated leadership, business acumen, and technical skills to ensure Burlington business resilience from cyber threats.
Workplace Violence Prevention Plan Requirements (California)
California’s health and safety regulations are administered and enforced by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) under California’s Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). California employers have long been required to institute and maintain an effective injury prevention program, including a written injury and illness prevention plan.
Editor's Note: This article is a valuable summary of the specific elements of the requirements for businesses. It requires entering your email, but it's free and a fantastic resource to spell out each component of requirements.
Rosemary Coates, the executive director of the Reshoring Institute, has had a front-row seat to manufacturing in China and the current reshoring/nearshoring trend. Speaking at the 2023 ISM World Reimagine conference in Las Vegas, she spoke about the history of outsourcing production to China.
“I’ve been in the supply chain business for nearly 40 years, and during that time, the growth in manufacturing and sourcing from China was tremendous,” Coates said. “During the late 1990s and the early 2000s, this was the strategy of most companies … Most of my clients were interested in going to China.”
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