Joey Hunt named Director of Loss Prevention for Kate Spade New York
Joey was previously the Director of Loss Prevention for Altar'd State for over eight months before taking this new role. He's held a variety of loss prevention leadership positions including Sr. Regional Manager of Loss Prevention and Regional Loss Prevention Manager for Coach, and Regional Loss Prevention Director for Friedmans Jewelers. Joey was also a Sergeant Detective for Lafayette Parish Sheriff's Office for over 12 years. Congratulations Joey!

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CIOReview Magazine Names Agilence One of the 20 Most Promising Retail Solution Providers for 2018
MOUNT LAUREL, NJ-January 16, 2018 - Agilence, Inc., the leader in cloud-based data analytics for store performance and loss prevention, today announced that it is on CIOReview Magazine's "Top 20" list of Most Promising Retail Solution Providers for 2018. This award is based on feedback from business leaders across the retail industry to identify innovative and effective solution providers that provide efficient as well as cost-effective retail solutions and services.

This national award validates Agilence's 20/20 Data Analytics platform that brings an unprecedented level of actionable business insight across the retail industry. "We are honored to be selected among the Most Promising Retail Solution Providers," said Russ Hawkins, President and CEO at Agilence, Inc.  agilenceinc.com

CONTROLTEK Launches New Website Ahead of NRF Big Show
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., (January 16, 2018) - CONTROLTEK, an emerging leader in retail product protection, launched a new website showcasing EAS and RFID tags, systems and consulting services designed to help loss prevention teams reduce shrink and increase work efficiencies.  Read full press below

The closing of 63 Sam's Club stores has big implications for small business
Last week, Walmart announced that it would be closing 63 of its under-performing Sam's Club stores at various locations throughout the country. While most of the news centered around the thousands of employees that would be affected by the decision, there's also another significant group of people that will also be negatively impacted: hundreds, even thousands of local small businesses.

"They're a significant part of my business," Joe Gerace, the owner of a Chevron store in Anchorage, Alaska said in a local television report. Gerace buys more than 300 items from Sam's Club, and spends about $50,000 at the store every month. Walmart said it's closing all of Sam's Club stores in the state.

Tamm DiCecca, who owns a cake shop in Greece, New York buys much of her supplies from Sam's Club (the chain plans to close four of its sixteen locations in the state). "That's horrible news to many small businesses," she told the Democrat and Chronicle.

It's the same story in Florida. "I go to that Sam's three times a week. It's an integral part of our business," Roberto Torres, the owner of Blind Tiger Cafe in St. Petersburg, said in another local television station report.

This is not the first time this has happened. Back in 2016, Walmart closed 250 stores. Even after this round, there still be almost 600 Sam's Clubs in operation around the country. Meanwhile, the company's competitors, BJ's Wholesale Clubs and Costco, are hoping to step in to the void. BJ's, according to a New York Times report, has already seen an "immediate increase" in new memberships. washingtonpost.com

Here's why Walmart is closing 63 Sam's Club stores
Walmart is closing 63 of its Sam's Club stores, which are located throughout the US and Puerto Rico, Business Insider reports.

Sam's Club CEO John Furner said the locations were affecting other stores, likely referring to cannibalization of customers, and that populations did not grow as the company had hoped in certain areas. However, even with these locations in tow, Sam's Club posted positive year-over-year (YoY) growth in net sales, traffic, and operating income through Q3 of its fiscal 2018 (ended October 27, 2017).

Between 10 and 12 of the closed locations will be turned into e-commerce distribution centers. These new centers will help Sam's Club build out its e-commerce capabilities by giving it a wider fulfillment network, potentially helping it get online orders delivered to customers faster.

Increasing its commitment to e-commerce may help Sam's Club compete with wholesale rivals. E-commerce is becoming more of a focus in wholesale retail, and if Sam's Club doesn't invest in it, the company may get left behind. Sam's Club's e-commerce sales only increased .8% YoY in the first three of quarters of its fiscal 2018. As such, these new fulfillment centers may be a step in the right direction for the company, as it looks to better compete in wholesale online.

Additionally, turning physical stores into distribution centers is a way for Walmart to leverage its brick-and-mortar network. The retailer has made efforts to entice consumers to pickup online orders in-store, but turning underperforming stores into full-blown e-commerce distribution centers as Sam's Club is doing is another way to take advantage of its proximity to its consumers. businessinsider.com

How to drive customer engagement and thwart potential thieves
This article was contributed by Se-Kure Controls

To compete with online competition, brick and mortar retailers are engaging customers by offering greater "hands-on" interaction with products in-store such as high end shoes, clothing, handbags, power tools, and smartphones that customers want to touch, try on or otherwise evaluate in person.

Whether customers want to get the feel of a high-end handbag, feel the balance of a power tool in hand or open apps on the latest smartphone, the in-store interaction with the product can be essential to making the sale.

However, retailers also cannot allow thieves to walk off with expensive merchandise. As such, anti-theft devices must allow customers to interact with products while providing adequate protection against sophisticated criminals willing to cut through security/alarm cables, steal attached batteries or simply go for the quick "grab and dash."

"Customization is often required to successfully deter theft," said Robert Hirnikl, corporate manager of asset protection at Joann, the nation's largest specialty retailer of fabrics and crafts, with over 860 stores. "There will always be new products, new challenges, and new technologies, so we need to work with a partner with the flexibility to adapt to the inevitable changes."

When Hirnikl sought to improve the customer experience while protecting high value items like scissors from theft, he turned to Se-Kure Controls, a Franklin Park, Illinois-based manufacturer of retail product security devices to customize the branding and messaging on the peg hook locks that secure those types of items. This included adding instructions for customers to "see a team member for assistance" when the customer wanted to handle the item.

According to Mangiameli, when it comes to retail theft deterrence, device modifications can often be done quickly and inexpensively to suit retailers needs. Changes can be as simple as lengthening a security cable, or modifying security attachments. They may also be a little more complex, such as customizing sensors or electronic alarms for specific circumstances. retailcustomerexperience.com

NRF Announces New Board of Director Members
BJ's Wholesale Club CEO Christopher J. Baldwin to chair National Retail Federation
The National Retail Federation today announced that BJ's Wholesale Club President and CEO Christopher J. Baldwin has been elected chairman of the NRF Board of Directors. In addition, eight other retailers and retail partners have been elected as new members of the board.

Newly elected members of the board are:

● Miki Racine Berardelli, CEO, KIDBOX
● John Furner, president and CEO, Sam's Club
● Jeff Gennette, CEO, Macy's Inc.
● Mike George, president and CEO, QVC Group
● Steve Joyce, CEO, DineEquity
● Rachel Mushahwar, general manager, U.S.: enterprise, government, SLED and cloud industries, Intel
● Eva Press, U.S. group lead, consumer packaged goods, government, healthcare and retail, Facebook
● Brad Weston, CEO, Petco nrf.com

Smart Retail Solutions Named One of the "Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America" by Entrepreneur Magazine
Smart Retail Solutions, a leading provider of cloud-based Enterprise Business Intelligence Software for Retail Operators, was recently recognized as one of the "Best Entrepreneurial Companies in America" on Entrepreneur magazine's Entrepreneur360 List, a premier study delivering the most comprehensive analysis of private companies in America.

"It is truly a great honor for our team to be recognized by Entrepreneur magazine," said Larry Miller, Co-Founder and CEO of Smart Retail Solutions. "Our Team has created a unique Business Intelligence Solution that continues to deliver on our guarantee to improve retailer sales while reducing bottom line shrink loss. We will certainly celebrate this milestone and are eager to share the successes that our customers have experienced in the coming months." Read more here smartretailsolutions.com

Kroger is rolling new digital shelf technology, Kroger Edge, to nearly 200 stores
The technology digitally displays pricing and nutritional information, as well as video ads and coupons for various products.

It will eventually communicate with customers' smartphones and highlight products on their shopping lists as they walk down store aisles - helping them to quickly select items in a sea of identical-looking items.
 businessinsider.com

Regional Corporate Safety Director posted for Safeway in Boise, ID
Corporate Risk Management has an opening for a Regional Corporate Safety Director for our Eastern region. Location is flexible but must be within one of the following division office locations: Boise, ID; Phoenix, AZ; Fort Worth, TX; Itasca, IL; Malvern, PA; West Bridgewater, MA; or Lanham, MD.

The purpose of the Regional Corporate Safety Director is to assist the Sr. Director of Corporate Safety in streamlining and managing all regional field safety, accident prevention, regulatory compliance and environmental core programs into a cohesive and purpose-directed risk management practice. safeway.apply2jobs.com

Beauty retailer Kiko USA files for bankruptcy

Walmart adds assistant store managers to oversee online orders

NRF 2018: Tech in Physical Retail Stores Must Scale to Succeed

Kroger is said to consider buying online wholesaler Boxed for up to $500 million

Amazon Sold $11 Million Of Whole Foods Groceries In 2017

Retail chain GameStop reports 11% sales increase over Holidays

Georgia City Wants to Penalize Stores When Their Carts Are Stolen

Prison sentence given to co-conspirator involved in an eBay scheme to defraud Staples

A Georgia man was sentenced Wednesday to 21 months in federal prison, three years of supervised release and ordered to pay nearly $900,000 in restitution and forfeiture after he admitted defrauding the Staples office supply store chain of $1.4 million in reward points and rebates.

Prosecutors in U.S. District Court in Boston said Layne Michael Gosnell, 46, along with a co-conspirator, John Douglas, created more than 1,100 Staples reward accounts using fictitious names. The pair used a computer program to query a Staples website and collect unclaimed loyalty rewards.

According to court documents, Gosnell and Douglas were able to make thousands of queries a day collecting small rewards, some less than a dollar.

The pair amassed almost $900,000 in rewards they used to purchase merchandise from Staples stores across the South and the Eastern Seaboard. Those products were then sold on eBay. Read more here.

For further information on PROACT, email inquiries to PROACT@eBay.com.

CONTROLTEK Launches New Website Ahead of NRF Big Show

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., (January 16, 2018) - CONTROLTEK, an emerging leader in retail product protection, launched a new website showcasing EAS and RFID tags, systems and consulting services designed to help loss prevention teams reduce shrink and increase work efficiencies.

"Our company was recently recognized for the amazing success of its First Time Right program in nationwide systems deployment," said Steve Sell, CONTROLTEK's Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing. "We decided to launch a new website to show what makes working with CONTROLTEK so different, and to make it easier for loss prevention teams of any size to find the right solution for their current needs."

According to Sell, CONTROLTEK's focus in 2018 is increasing the reach and accessibility of its award-winning solutions to the LP industry, and the new easy-to-navigate website is one small step in that direction.

Russian military was behind 'NotPetya' cyberattack in Ukraine, CIA concludes
The CIA has attributed to Russian military hackers a cyberattack that crippled computers in Ukraine last year, an effort to disrupt that country's financial system amid its ongoing war with separatists loyal to the Kremlin.

The June 2017 attack, delivered through a mock ransomware virus dubbed NotPetya, wiped data from the computers of banks, energy firms, senior government officials and an airport.

The GRU military spy agency created NotPetya, the CIA concluded with "high confidence" in November, according to classified reports cited by U.S. intelligence officials. washingtonpost.com

Safeguarding your biggest cybersecurity target: Executives
Senior executives are among the favorite targets of malicious hackers and other bad actors, in part because they are more likely to hold valuable information - or have a high level of access to such data.

That's why it's so important for organizations to make sure C-level officers and other top executives are adhering to the strictest data protection standards and are using appropriate security technologies whenever possible, including when they travel to high-risk locations.

"Executives are targeted for their access and influence within organizations, especially those whose purview includes sensitive financial data or personally identifiable information," says Wayne Lee, chief cyber security architect at West Monroe Partners, a business and technology consultancy.

Here are some steps organizations can take to protect executives and their immediate associates from being the entry point into a major security breach.

● Make it clear to executives that they will be targets
● Take threats seriously - and educate execs attacks
● Make secure use of email a priority
● Protections when executives travel on business
● Bolster the security of the IT infrastructure
● Don't forget about training cio.com

What is Zero Trust? A model for more effective security
The Zero Trust Network, or Zero Trust Architecture, model was created in 2010 by John Kindervag, who at the time was a principal analyst at Forrester Research Inc.

Now, seven years later, CIOs, CISOs and other corporate executives are increasingly implementing Zero Trust as the technologies that support it move into the mainstream, as the pressure to protect enterprise systems and data grows significantly, and as attacks become more sophisticated.

The Zero Trust model of information security basically kicks to the curb the old castle-and-moat mentality that had organizations focused on defending their perimeters while assuming everything already inside didn't pose a threat and therefore was cleared for access.

Security and technology experts say the castle-and-moat approach isn't working. They point to the fact that some of the most egregious data breaches happened because hackers, once they gained access inside corporate firewalls, were able move through internal systems without much resistance.

Experts say that today's enterprise IT departments require a new way of thinking because, for the most part, the castle itself no longer exists in isolation as it once did. Companies don't have corporate data centers serving a contained network of systems but instead today typically have some applications on-premises and some in the cloud with users - employees, partners, customers - accessing applications from a range of devices from multiple locations and even potentially from around the globe. csoonline.com



Adobe's Newest Labs Project Can Track In-Store Customers in Real Time
The technology can track live foot traffic in a store and break down shoppers into a variety of data segments like people who spend a lot of money, the type of products they buy (organic, gourmet, sweet tooth) and more.

While Adobe Labs is currently demoing the project with grocery stores in mind, it could be applied to clothing and home improvement stores.

The project is built on the Adobe Cloud Platform and pulls in data from Internet of Things sensors, beacons and if the brand has one, an app. Additionally, depending on the retailer, data is also taken from point-of-sale systems and online data. adweek.com


OnePlus Chinese smartphone maker to conduct 'complete security audit' following credit card fraud reports
Over the weekend, more than 60 customers took to the firm's forum to report instances of fraudulent charges appearing on their card within a year of sharing their billing information with the OnePlus 5T maker. A similar thread on Reddit gained more than 670 comments in just a day.

Subsequently, OnePlus issued a detailed statement on its credit card security practices on its website in which the company says it is "investigating every report" of fraud. It also seemed to deny that it was still using the Magento e-commerce platform, which was at the heart of the vulnerability - according to Finnish cyber security firm Fidus - but added that it was conducting a wholesale security audit.

Fidus, however, found that OnePlus asks customers to hand over their card details before they're transferred to Magento - a third-party payment processor - to be debited when it tried to complete a mock purchase. trustedreviews.com

Mirai Okiru: New DDoS botnet targets ARC-based IoT devices

What is General Data Protection Regulation (GDRP)?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is an European Union (EU) regulation intend to enhance data protection for all individuals within the EU. It addresses the export of personal data outside the EU. The intent of the GDPR is to give control back to people of their own personal data and to simplify the regulatory environment for international business. The GDRP becomes enforceable in May 2018. It applies to controllers and processors of data. International retailers will be affected.

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U.S. Online Fraud Attempts Increase 22 Percent During
2017 Holiday Shopping Season
Online fraud attempts and general retail transaction volumes increased substantially during the 2017 holiday season, according to new benchmark data from ACI Worldwide. Fraud attempts in the period from Thanksgiving Day to December 31 increased by 22 percent, while the number of overall transactions increased by 19 percent.

ACI's benchmark survey data* is based on hundreds of millions of eCommerce retail transactions from global merchants using ACI ReD Shield-the eCommerce fraud prevention component of ACI's UP portfolio of payment solutions-to detect and prevent CNP fraud during the 2016 and 2017 holiday shopping seasons (beginning Thanksgiving Day and ending on December 31). ACI ReD Shield processed 14 percent of all Thanksgiving Day online spend, 13 percent of all Black Friday online spend and 9 percent of all Cyber Monday online spend.

Principal findings and key fraud activity trends include:

● Between Thanksgiving Day and December 31, 2017, the number of eCommerce transactions grew by 19 percent, compared to the same dates in 2016. Fraud attempts increased by 22 percent.

● Fraud attempt rates were highest on Thanksgiving Day (1.94 percent, up from 1.26 percent in 2016), Christmas Eve (1.78 percent, up from 1.48 percent) and December 21 - the cutoff date for express shipments - (1.67 percent, up from 1.49 percent).
       ◦ The trends driving these peak fraudulent days include shipment cut-off, consumer traffic and buy online pick-up in-store transactions.

● The average ticket price of attempted fraud transactions over the entire holiday period in 2017 was $227, a one percent increase from 2016 ($239). Reduced shipment prices, low-priced electronics and promotions are driving this trend.

● The overall volume of purchases recorded in January-October 2017 increased by 14 percent, compared to the same period in 2016. businesswire.com



Infographic: The largest online marketplaces in the world
For the first time, Internet Retailer ranks, profiles and analyzes the world's 75 largest online marketplaces, which collectively account for more than 90% of global marketplace sales. The new database ranks these marketplaces by their projected 2017 third-party gross merchandise volume and includes key financial, performance and corporate metrics on each marketplace. This infographic analyzes some key findings from Internet Retailer's research. digitalcommerce360.com



E-commerce sales grow 18.5% in December, with total retail up 5.4%

Moneris partners with Kount to expand fraud protection services for Canadian online businesses

Miramar Beach, FL: Five charged in retail theft ring
Police find thousands in stolen merchandise
Five people from Montgomery, Alabama, have been charged in a slew of crimes after a month-long investigation of an organized retail theft ring by the Walton County Sheriff's Office. Investigators found more than $6,000 worth of stolen merchandise in the car from several stores, including Victoria's Secret, Bath and Body Works, Justice, Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger, the Sheriff's Office said. Investigators later learned the names of all those involved. nwfdailynews.com

Lower Saucon, PA: Grocery store employee stole $8,000 over a year-long period
A 42-year-old Hellertown woman is charged with theft, receiving stolen property and drug possession after a nearly year-long series of thefts at the Lower Saucon Giant store where she worked, according to police. Police said Slotter took $8,000 between Jan. 24, 2017 and Jan. 7, 2018. When police interviewed Slotter they say they discovered she had three different types of illegal drugs in her possession. Police said Slotter admitted to the thefts. mcall.com

Toronto, ON: Seven suspects stole $14K worth of merchandise from downtown department store
Two of seven suspects wanted in connection with the theft of thousands of dollars-worth of merchandise from a downtown department store have surrendered to police, investigators confirmed Monday. According to police, seven suspects entered the store wearing hoodies and masks and allegedly took a number of Moncler jackets from a display before fleeing the store. Police estimate the total value of the stolen goods to be $14,000. On Monday afternoon, investigators confirmed that two of the seven suspects, a 16-year-old boy and 17-year-old boy, turned themselves into police. cp24.com

NAORCA Worldwide and BOLO Board Form Partnership
Expanding the tools available to fight ORC
Myrtle Beach, SC, January 13, 2018- NAORCA and BOLO Board have formed an alliance to provide much need communication tools to the industry. Now with your NAORCA membership you get access to a national database of BOLO's and a social media network designed for the industry.

"This is a new era for communications between retailers, law enforcement and really any company concerned about security. The world of the criminal is getting smaller as a result." - Brad Jordan, President, BOLO Board

BOLO Board is a social media app designed for use in the security and loss prevention industry. It provides a social media venue to connect with colleagues worldwide and exchange information. It also provides a localized alert system for users that stretches up to 100 miles.

NAORCA (National Anti-Organized Retail Crime Association) is a global association with over 3,200 members that are leaders in retail and law enforcement dedicated to assisting businesses with theft and fraud prevention.

"NAORCA Worldwide is excited to partner with BOLO Board. We see great value in BOLO Board that will give our members in Loss Prevention, Asset Protection, and Law Enforcement a much needed tool to share information on specific incidents, suspects, and be able to collaborate and identify suspects that are committing crimes at many different retailers" - Christopher McGourty, NAORCA Worldwide, Founder/Executive Director

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Bradley Jordan at email at bjordan@boloboard.us. Or email contact Christopher McGourty at CMcGourty@naorca.org naorca.org boloboard.us

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The Secret to Teamwork: Know Your Norms, Open Doors, Struggle Together
 

The Secret to Teamwork Isn't Managing Personalities
While teamwork makes everybody work better, you don't have to surrender your personality to be a team player. Here's how you can get your employees to focus more on their team without downplaying their strengths. Setting Norms

10 Leadership Focus Areas that Build High Performing Teams
No one person is more important than the entire team. The best teams win, learn, grow and adapt as a unit. In high-performing teams their interactions are fluid, and the work they do together is exceptional. Here's how you can build a high-performing team. Forming bonds

These Quirky Team-Building Practices Can Make Your Employees More Loyal
Companies are always wondering how they can build a culture that inspires new thinking, collaboration and letting people be themselves. This founder and CEO of Jdog Junk Removal and Hauling has found a formula that works for him. Surprise

The Most Successful Teams Have One Important Thing in Common
What really brings a team together, what really unites them is something that can't be faked. When your team overcomes a challenge together, it can really lead to great things. Their bond is stronger, and productivity soars. Here's how struggles can shape your team for the better. Learn from kids

Submit Your Group LP Selfie Today!

A lot of articles talk about "How to impress your boss" and give you tips on how to accomplish this. But at the end of the day, it's all about supporting them, helping them reach their objectives and not trying to merely impress them. Impressing a person is great, but usually short lived. Supporting and helping them reach their goals requires a long-term effort that at times can truly test your resolve and stamina.

The thought has always been if your boss gets promoted, then you might as well -- as long as you are the one helping them get ahead.

Just a Thought,
Gus

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