Retailers are putting on their game faces in response to the Trump administration's tariff changes. Walmart's CEO Doug McMillon is playing it cool, but behind the scenes, they're pushing suppliers for price cuts. Some retailers are chill, thanks to their sourcing models, while others warn of price hikes. From Target's seasoned team to Macy's flexible supply chain, everyone’s got a plan.
The Arkansas Trucking Association is giving a big thumbs up to the state legislature for passing a bunch of bills aimed at organized retail crime, including Act 322, which toughens penalties for cargo theft. With cargo theft up 27% last year, these laws show that Arkansas lawmakers get how big a deal this is for the trucking industry and consumers. The new laws, backed by bipartisan support, include harsher penalties and immediate implementation.
Workplace safety is becoming a legislative priority across the country, and Virginia is poised to join the movement. On March 7, 2025, the Virginia House of Delegates passed House Bill 1919 (HB 1919), which would require large employers with 100 or more employees to implement workplace violence prevention policies by January 1, 2027. Governor Glenn Youngkin has until 11:59 p.m. on March 24, 2025, to sign the bill into law.
If signed into law, it would take effect on July 1, 2026. Starting July 1, 2027, employers found noncompliant could face civil penalties of up to $1,000 per violation.
Jonathan Larmore, a former strip mall mogul, got a five-year prison sentence for a botched attempt to profit from a fake WeWork takeover bid. Despite his grand plan to make $40 million, he ended up with zilch and a fraud conviction. His lawyer argued that Larmore was just a heartbroken amateur, not a hardened criminal, but the judge wasn't buying it. Larmore's scheme involved trying to recreate a GameStop-style meme-stock rally, but it fizzled out.
California's Organized Retail Crime Task Force (ORCTF) has been busy busting thieves, recovering $13.5 million worth of stolen goods in 2024 alone. Since its inception in 2019, the task force has nabbed over 4,000 suspects and reclaimed $54 million in stolen items. Governor Gavin Newsom is all about boosting public safety, with over $1.1 billion in crime-fighting funds, including $267 million for local law enforcement. The ORCTF's efforts continue strong into 2025, with early-year operations already netting millions in recovered goods.
I recently found myself on a red-eye back to Atlanta from LA (even though I swore those off in my early 30’s) and I typically can’t fall asleep for the life of me. Knowing this, I often pick up some light reading for the plane, hoping I’ll drift off only to come to when the pilot jars me awake with, “we’re beginning our initial descent into Atlanta.”
Now, don’t get me wrong – I’m not a “Swiftie” per se, but I absolutely respect Taylor Swift as a powerhouse of musical innovation and prowess. Another layer of her business acumen came to light on this flight in an article from Harvard Business Review (HBR), “The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift: Her Success is about much more than her music—and innovators can learn from it” by Kevin Evers, Senior Editor. At first, I was shocked this article made it into the prestigious HBR – until I read it. Evers describes the four behaviors Swift’s success can be attributed to through the years. I definitely saw a relatable connection between these behaviors and a successful Loss Prevention (LP) or Risk Management professional:
Targeting Untapped Markets:
Evers describes Swift’s innovation in finding a “blue ocean” (a concept describing untapped markets) through recognizing all the current songs on the radio were about marriage and kids – things Swift couldn’t relate to. Swift went with her gut to provide teenagers with music they could relate to even though her advisors kept telling her different.
For LP and risk management pros the lesson is to search for that untapped market within your organization – whether that’s a department that doesn’t think they have anything to do with loss or risk or if it’s those folks that have had a negative view of LP since you arrived. Identify their own “hot” buttons (or boyfriend woes as Swift did) and understand how you can be of service to them. Is it helping them communicate specific operational lessons through your awareness program? Is it helping them solve a particular challenge with non-traditional LP solutions (i.e. using your cameras to check if merchandising is executed correctly, or identifying a procedural issue through point-of-sale audit / exception reporting?) How can you tap into an “untapped market” within your own organization for more LP or risk success?
Finding Opportunities to Create Stickiness:
Swift created stickiness within her own fan base and beyond by sharing highly personal accounts of her own experiences in her lyrics and “Easter eggs” she strategically placed within her album covers, outfits, and music videos. Swift was embracing her fans’ obsession with her personal life and controlling a typically uncontrollable narrative – thus creating her own message stickiness.
For the LP and risk pros out there, the lesson of creating this stickiness is about creating your own conversation with your front-line employees. Your organization has its own living, breathing culture and you can capitalize on that if you’re paying attention. The best way to move the needle on shrink, safety, and theft is by communicating directly with the people that are causing the shrink, the unsafe environments and the theft. Do this by creating and implementing effective communication campaigns (awareness and training) that captivate and mobilize your end-users (your store employees). If you already have a communication campaign, take it up a notch by using reality video, a popular meme, or brand-appropriate humor to get attention. Guess what? Your employees are fascinated by the work you do – capitalize on that by letting them in on it!
Productive Paranoia:
Evers describes Swift’s statistical success reaching unfathomable records within the music industry and then underscores that she has never become complacent. She has often expressed a constant fear that her success will eventually come to an end. Leadership experts agree that such “worried watchfulness” is essential to successful leaders. “In a study of leaders who navigated uncertainties and upheavals, from oil crises to technological shifts, they found that one of the things that set successful leaders apart was being highly alert to potential negative developments—a trait they call ‘productive paranoia.’”
How this concept relates to being an LP or risk pro is to never stop analyzing your surroundings. Are there competing agendas between executives? How highly is the LP department valued among other departments? (If not so highly valued, how can you help correct this? What value can you provide?) Being aware of your organizational surroundings is imperative to your own career and your entire department’s career health. Now, of course, this can transition into simple paranoia which would be counterproductive – so make sure your instincts are in check by bouncing them off a trusted colleague or mentor now and again.
Adapting to Radical Shifts in Platforms:
Swift’s stance on streaming platforms and owning her own music is widely known and Evers describes how she adeptly honed her own music creation and distribution during COVID knowing it had to change to continue her upward trajectory.
The correlation between this lesson and the life of an LP/Risk pro is probably pretty obvious. Whether it is a change in leadership at the highest level or an implementation of a brand-new system (new POS anyone?), professionals in our industry are constantly adapting to radical changes. Particularly in today’s environment, it is massively important to be adaptable – which for me, means to always LEARN, grow my skills both organizationally (partner with other departments, spread your internal reputation, demonstrate value) and externally. What is the last NEW thing you learned? This answer should be fairly recent.
It was 20 minutes until landing in Atlanta and I was refreshed after my 20-minute nap and deep dive into a billionaire’s career choices. Just as Evers describes Swift as, “an artist that refuses to be confined,” I challenge us to continue to think beyond the simple lyrics of an industry we love. I mean, let’s face it, it’s not always a love story so shake it off because we’re never ever ever getting back together if we don’t find lessons in the success of others.
Do you have a different take? Or any lessons from rock stars you want to share? Let me know!
Patagonia is suing Marden’s Surplus and Salvage, a Maine-based retail store, for allegedly selling counterfeit jackets in 13 locations. Marden’s denies the claims, stating they unknowingly purchased mislabeled products and are offering refunds. Patagonia is pushing for a jury trial to settle the matter.
Michigan Duo Charged in Organized Retail Theft Spree Spanning Michigan to Massachusetts
In a coordinated law enforcement effort spanning multiple states, two Michigan men have been apprehended and charged with a series of thefts including a high-dollar shoplifting incident in Milford, Massachusetts. According to a Facebook post from the Milford Police Department, the initial response was to a report at Target where the theft had just occurred.
The subsequent investigation by the Milford Police Detectives revealed that the incident was part of an organized retail crime spree that also targeted a Lowe’s in Milford. Through investigative techniques and technology, Milford Detectives tracked the suspects to Flint, Michigan. The suspects were positively identified on March 6th, resulting in charges for Michael Page, 21, and Jhlon Cabell, 18, along with two juveniles, believed to be responsible for an estimated $6,000 theft at Target.
San Francisco Walgreens employee accused of stabbing suspected shoplifter
A Walgreens employee in San Francisco is accused of stabbing a shoplifting suspect in the eye in an altercation that was caught on camera.
Both the Walgreens employee, identified as 45-year-old Guang Hong, and the person he's accused of stabbing, 30-year-old Larry Whitlock, were arrested following Wednesday morning's incident on Castro Street, according to police.
Livestream video footage showed Hong and the store's security guard walk Whitlock out of the front door. After a few moments, Whitlock seemingly says something to Hong and then throws something. Hong runs toward Whitlock and begins hitting him.
Hong retreats back to the store while the guard keeps watch on Whitlock as he stays in the street. Moments later, Whitlock returns and Hong walks out of the store again. Words are seemingly exchanged again before Hong pounces on Whitlock.
Kansas City men charged in multi-state retail burglary scheme, prosecutors say stolen goods sold on Facebook
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A federal grand jury has indicted three Kansas City, Missouri, men in connection with a multi-state burglary scheme targeting beauty product and liquor stores, prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Gary Bailey, 24, Jermaine Threat, 25, and Dalvin Poindexter, 26, are charged in a nine-count indictment filed under seal on Feb. 4 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
The indictment was unsealed following the arrests of Bailey and Poindexter and their first court appearances
Federal prosecutors allege the men stole hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise in a series of burglaries spanning Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Indiana, and Texas from March 2023 to January 2024.
Shrinkage is a problem nearly every retail business faces, and it requires unique solutions to combat. Loss prevention tactics help reduce the amount of inventory shrink by a significant amount and can help you positively affect your bottom line. Check out the article below to see how you can tackle this problem head on and make the best decisions for your retail business.
4 people charged in retail theft ring in Schuylkill County
Four people have been charged with committing retail theft at T.J. Maxx near Pottsville, state police said.
According to Trooper Thomas Luscan of the Schuylkill Haven station, police investigated an organized retail theft ring last year that involved the store at Fairlane Village Mall.
Thousands skip court dates after retail theft arrests
New data shows that over the past six months, thousands of people simply don't show up to court in Multnomah County. It's a problem that is gumming up the criminal justice system and causing delays for victims seeking justice.
The Asset Protection & Safety Manager (APSM) oversees and coordinates programs and processes to minimize loss while maintaining a safe working and shopping environment. This associate monitors and solves for criminal activities, coaches and trains associates, and oversees inventory levels to help with shrink and shortages. The APSM may need to respond to violent altercations to keep customers and staff safe. The Asset Protection & Safety Manager is seen as an expert on safety reports, guidelines, and regulations.
A busy day for San Mateo police and retail theft arrests
SAN MATEO, Calif. - Police say it was a busy day for retail crime in San Mateo on Wednesday. Suspects were arrested for thefts at lululemon, Macy's, The Home Depot and in once instance, a U-Haul reported stolen was used.
What we know: Officials with the San Mateo Police Department said officers were dispatched to a lululemon at the Hillsdale Shopping Center at around 11:15 a.m. That's where a suspect, identified as Teivishon Nelson Salahudin, 30, of Reno, Nevada, and another person are alleged to have concealed $875 in merchandise to then try to return it to the store for credit. Officials said the plot involved the intent to then sell the merchandise credit card at a discounted rate.
Salahudin was arrested and charged for petty theft and for organized retail theft with intent to sell.
‘Nah I’ll stay with Aldi’: Woman goes to Walmart self-checkout. Then she realizes she needs a subscription to use it
Yet another Walmart shopper claims one of the store’s locations is limiting self-checkout usage to Walmart+ subscribers. Licia (@auntielici) posted a viral TikTok that’s accrued over 937,000 views on the popular social media application.
She criticized the retailer for the maneuver. However, folks who reacted to her clip argued that she’s misrepresenting these self-checkout protocols. They said the self-service kiosks aren’t going anywhere but that Walmart is just promoting its Scan & Go service.
“Now you have to have a Walmart+ membership to do self-checkout,” Licia says. “I have to pay you to check myself out? The [expletive] out of here.”
She further expressed her disdain for the new pricing structure in a caption for the video.
According to Licia, the retailer is charging customers for the privilege of performing employee tasks at its stores. “So not only do I have do the cashier’s job. But you want me to pay to do it?” she asks.
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