Linking Store Security Cams to NYPD?
Mayoral candidate Brad Lander wants to link store security cameras to NYPD to cut down on retail theft
A Democratic mayoral contender wants to force city stores to "unlock the toothpaste" by linking their camera systems to cops to speed up shoplifting reports.

Comptroller Brad Lander's proposed online platform would have store clerks press a button to send security camera footage to the NYPD in an effort to nab shoplifters. Participating businesses would have to remove the now-popular barriers once the store's shoplifting numbers decline, he said.

“This is one New Yorkers feel every day,” Lander told The Post. "This is both a crime and safety issue for our stores and a convenience issue for New Yorkers who just have the maddening frustration of having to wait to get toothpaste.”

The usually-progressive Democrat said he worked with law enforcement officials, store managers and workers to develop his watchful plan.

“One touch of a button on your existing systems will let the PD know, make it easier for them to have fast response times,” Lander said.

Lander's plan also calls for grant-funding for cameras so small businesses can plug into the NYPD system too. A proposal to enhance policing is a marked change for Lander who was once a "defund the police" crusader. While in the City Council he demanded $1 billion in budget cuts to the NYPD.

But after his mayoral intentions were announced last September, Lander struck a different tone, telling a gathering of the Association for a Better New York that "police are critical to prevent and respond to violence, get illegal guns off the streets and solve crimes.”

A crackdown on the city's pervasive shoplifting problem is necessary after post-pandemic "disorder,” Lander said Wednesday. msn.com


Increased Theft, Enhanced Security & Other Trends Challenging Walmart
Walmart Issues Stern Warning About Unexpected Customer Behavior
Walmart, the world's largest retailer, has recently issued a cautionary statement regarding surprising trends in customer behavior. As shopping habits shift due to economic conditions and consumer preferences, the retail giant is facing challenges that could impact operations and profitability.

Unexpected Trends in Consumer Behavior

According to Walmart executives, several key factors are influencing how customers shop:

• Reduced Discretionary Spending - Shoppers are prioritizing essential goods over non-essential items due to inflationary pressures.

• Increase in Theft and Shrinkage - Retail theft and organized shoplifting rings have led to higher security concerns and financial losses.

• Growth in Online and Pickup Orders - While in-store traffic remains steady, more customers are opting for online shopping and curbside pickup.

• Brand Switching and Price Sensitivity - Customers are shifting to private-label brands in search of lower prices.

Walmart's Response

To mitigate these challenges, Walmart is implementing several strategic initiatives:

• Enhanced Security Measures - Increased surveillance, staff training, and collaboration with law enforcement to reduce theft.

• Inventory Adjustments - Prioritizing high-demand essential products to align with changing customer needs.

• Competitive Pricing Strategies - Expanding affordable private-label offerings and maintaining everyday low prices.

• Investment in E-Commerce Infrastructure - Improving online shopping capabilities to accommodate digital shoppers.

Future Outlook

Despite these challenges, Walmart remains optimistic about its ability to adapt. By closely monitoring consumer trends and making strategic adjustments, the company aims to maintain its leadership position in the retail sector. pradeshtak.com


Is San Francisco Finally Turning a Corner on Crime?
Homicides in San Francisco dropped 31% in 2024
Homicides in San Francisco fell by 31% from 2023 to 2024 amid a drop in overall violent crime, according to preliminary data compiled by the Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA).

Why it matters: The stats suggest the COVID-era crime wave all but evaporated from the nation's largest cities during former President Biden's final year in office, even as President Trump's claims that crime was up in cities like San Francisco became a key part of his election strategy.

Zoom in: San Francisco recorded 35 homicides in 2024, down from 51 in 2023, per MCCA's data. The city also recorded 195 rapes in 2024 compared to 296 in 2023; 2,098 robberies last year compared to 2,742 in 2023; and 2,289 aggravated assaults in 2024 compared to 2,480 in the year prior.

Between the lines: The figures continue a yearslong decline in violent crime despite the persistence of the doom loop narrative and perceptions of San Francisco as a crime-ridden city.

The San Francisco Police Department in December attributed the downward trend to its violence prevention efforts and new technology like drones and automated license plate readers. axios.com


Gift Card Tampering Fraud is Surging
Sen. Denise Ricciardi: Gift card crime wave demands action
As legislative leaders in New Hampshire, we have seen firsthand how the retail industry is facing an escalating crisis: gift card tampering fraud. This form of fraud is not just a nuisance - it is a growing dimension of Organized Retail Crime (ORC) that affects businesses, consumers, and the economy at large. Criminal enterprises have turned gift card tampering into a lucrative racket, exploiting gaps in enforcement and regulation.

New Hampshire, as a sales tax-free state, has become a prime target for fraudsters seeking to maximize the value of stolen or manipulated gift cards. This crime has evolved beyond isolated incidents to become a systematic and organized effort, linked to larger illicit operations, including money laundering, human trafficking, and even fentanyl distribution. It is time we take decisive legislative action to combat this growing threat and protect both retailers and consumers. unionleader.com


Arkansas Attorney General announces two arrests from organized retail crime acts

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Walmart Could Scoop Up More Malls
Why does Walmart want a shopping mall?

It could be an attempt to broaden revenue streams, plot the location of a future store or, at its simplest, take advantage of a good deal.

Walmart recently expanded its real estate portfolio with a $34 million purchase. However, the type of property the retailer bought gave some industry experts and observers pause. That's because Walmart bought the Monroeville Mall, a more than 50-year-old shopping center near Pittsburgh with over 100 operating businesses.

To several industry experts and analysts, the retailer made a smart move - the Monroeville Mall offers an attractive real estate parcel that's already set up for retail use. It also gives Walmart a measure of control on what businesses operate in the center.

“This move aligns with broader retail trends where major players are rethinking how they use real estate, especially as traditional malls struggle with declining foot traffic,” Jonathan Zhang, a professor at Colorado State University's College of Business, told Retail Dive in an email. "Walmart could see this as an opportunity to repurpose underperforming malls into mixed-use spaces with a strong retail anchor - whether that's a supercenter, a fulfillment hub or a combination of both.”

If this strategy works in Pittsburgh, the company may try it again elsewhere, tapping into underperforming malls with prime locations, Zhang noted.

Walmart is working with Texas-based Cypress Equities to lead the redevelopment process, which includes the mall proper and an annex building of additional retail stores. Beyond that, Walmart isn't offering many details on its plans. retaildive.com

 
Retailers Challenged by Evolving DEI Rules
Legislative Stonewalling: How DEI Rollbacks and Gender Legislation Are Reshaping Fashion Retail
Over the past few years, the fashion industry has increasingly embraced diversity and inclusivity in its designs, messaging, and product offerings. Gender-neutral collections and inclusive branding have become key drivers for both luxury designers and mass-market retailers. Recently, however, a series of changes at the federal level have affected how inclusive language is used in public resources.

One notable change occurred on the Stonewall National Monument website, where references to transgender and queer identities have been removed, leaving the acronym as "LGB.” In parallel, mass-market retailers continue to innovate in response to consumer demand, as seen with Nike's and PacSun's gender-neutral clothing collections.

Read on for an overview of these developments and an examination of the challenges retailers and brands face as they navigate an evolving regulatory and cultural landscape. retailwire.com


Tariff Talk Heats Up Again
Will Retaliatory Tariffs Harm the American Consumer?
Tariff talk is heating up both in the United States and abroad - with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promising a "forceful but reasonable" response to tariffs the U.S. imposes, per The Guardian. Both Canada and Mexico drew plans for retaliatory tariffs prior to the temporary pause of President Donald Trump's 25% tariffs on imports from the neighboring nations - but the exact particulars remain unclear.

So far, according to The Financial Post, Trump has announced a variety of tariffs to take effect on Canada, Mexico, China, and other major trading partners, coming into effect in time frames ranging from early March through April 2. So far, China has been hit with a 10% tariff, to which it responded with a 10% to 15% tariff "applied to crude oil, liquefied natural gas, farm machinery and select other products from the United States,” as NPR detailed. Further, Trump has threatened tariffs on Europe, Taiwan, and other jurisdictions.

With the atmosphere surrounding tariffs, and retaliatory tariffs, remaining uncertain, RetailWire consulted with members of its BrainTrust on the subject: retailwire.com


Consumer sentiment slumps on fears tariffs will fuel inflation

Consumers are "clearly bracing for a resurgence in inflation,” said Joanne Hsu, director of the University of Michigan's Surveys of Consumers.

Consumer sentiment slumped this month and inflation expectations surged on fears that Trump administration tariffs will fuel inflation, according to the University of Michigan's consumer survey released Friday.

“Consumers' expectations for the path of inflation worsened considerably this month - they are clearly bracing for a resurgence in inflation,” Joanne Hsu, director of the university's survey, said in a statement. "Consumers broadly anticipate that tariff hikes will lead to higher inflation, but policy uncertainty means that their views are subject to change.”  retaildive.com


Joann to be sold, all stores going out of business
Pending court approval, GA Group and the company's lenders are winding down the retailer's operations.

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