At Least 15 States Have Passed Laws Targeting Theft Over Past 2 Years
US retail crime hits $112 billion as states ramp up penal measures
Retail crime has become a pressing concern for businesses in several parts of the U.S., with many retailers forced to close down store locations in response.

According to the most recent report from the National Retail Federation (NRF) based on data from 2022, stores lost over $112 billion to retail theft, marking a significant increase from $93.9 billion in 2021. This trend of revenue loss to theft has been steadily rising since 2016.

Organized retail crime (ORC), often showcased in videos circulating on social media, is a more organized and large-scale operation compared to typical shoplifting incidents. Cities like Los Angeles, Oakland/San Francisco, Houston, and New York City are among the most impacted by retail theft, with Los Angeles maintaining its position at the top for the fifth consecutive year. An analysis by Forbes Advisor also highlights Washington as the most impacted state and Wyoming as the least impacted.

Over the last couple of years, at least 15 states passed laws targeting retail theft, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).

For instance, a new law in Oregon, effective since January, imposes a presumptive sentence of 24 months in prison for organized retail theft, a significant increase from the previous 10 to 11 months. Similarly, the Virginia legislature passed a law this summer classifying theft of goods worth $5,000 or more with intent to sell as a Class 3 felony, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 20 years.

Additionally, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has announced proposed legislation to classify retail theft as a first-degree felony if committed with a weapon or by individuals with prior convictions, potentially resulting in up to 30 years in prison or fines of up to $10,000. In California, a proposed law aims to establish a new crime with a penalty of up to three years in prison for possession of stolen property with intent to sell.

Moreover, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York recently announced legislation to establish criminal penalties for online marketplaces and other third-party sellers of stolen goods, while also increasing penalties for assaulting retail workers. komonews.com


Florida's War on Retail Crime Continues

New Florida Bill Ratchets Up Penalties for ORC & Porch Pirates
Florida lawmakers' crack down on retail and porch thefts nears the finish line
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - A bill aimed at cracking down on porch and retail thieves is nearing the finish line in the Florida Legislature. The bill includes various enhanced penalties for crimes that are hurting businesses' bottom lines and driving prices up for consumers.

"Whether or not you've seen organized retail crime in action, it's impacting all of us," said Amanda Bevis, a spokesperson with the Florida Retail Federation. "That impacts what they can pay their team members, what kind of prices and deals they can offer to consumers."

The Florida Senate is expected to take up legislation Tuesday evening that would create enhanced penalties both for porch thefts and retail thefts.

Some of the main changes include lowering the price tag of items stolen off porches to trigger a felony charge, making organized smash and grab retail thefts a felony when multiple people are involved, and increasing penalties even higher if the theft is organized on social media.

There are also enhanced penalties for repeat offenders.

When the bill was heard in the House late last month, some Democratic lawmakers objected to the stiff penalties, noting the severe lifelong consequences a felony conviction can bring. But the bill sponsor countered the escalating prevalence of retail and porch theft demands a strong response.

Bevis argued the bill intentionally targets organized crime, rather than the random shoplifter.

"It's high dollar. They know what they're doing. They're making a business out of it and the goal of this legislation is to stop those actions," said Bevis.

An amendment has been filed ahead of the bill's hearing before the full Senate would change the length of time between retail crimes where enhanced penalties could be applied, lowering the House's 365 day period to 120 days.  actionnewsjax.com


How Much Power Do Store Security Guards Have to Fight Theft?
Can a store security guard arrest you or search your belongings? Here's what Georgia law says

WHEN IT COMES TO SHOPLIFTING, WHAT AUTHORITY DOES A STORE ACTUALLY HAVE?

According to Georgia law, a store owner or employee can take a shoplifter into custody and detain them until law enforcement arrives, if they have witnessed or detected the crime. Georgia is one of the few states that regulates unarmed security.

Security guards act as representatives of the store owner. They can ban you from entering and call authorities if you trespass after being banned. In places like Costco or Sam's Club, they can revoke your membership. If the security guard or an employee witnessed shoplifting, the guard can detain you.

CAN A STORE SECURITY GUARD ARREST YOU?

After the Ahmaud Arbery case where a jogger was shot and killed by residents attempting to make a citizen's arrest, Georgia became the first state in the country to ban the practice. On May 10, 2021, Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law to repeal citizen's arrests. Security guards, private investigators, employees at businesses and those conducting business on someone else's property lost the right to "arrest" someone with this repeal, but they can still "detain" suspects until law enforcement arrives.

CAN A STORE SECURITY GUARD OR EMPLOYEE DETAIN YOU IF THEY SUSPECT, BUT HAVEN'T WITNESSED YOU SHOPLIFTING?

Yes, if they believe a crime has been committed, they are allowed to detain a suspect. But, they have to contact law enforcement within a "reasonable amount of time" of holding the person, or let them go.

CAN A STORE SECURITY GUARD SEARCH YOUR BELONGINGS? - DO YOU HAVE TO COMPLY WITH A STORE RECEIPT CHECKER?:  macon.com


Shoplifting Crisis Rattles UK Businesses & The Police Are Fighting Back
"In the past, this crime has not been given the attention or priority it deserves."

UK: Shoplifting crackdown by police
A police force has said it is committed to answering calls from business owners to "crackdown" on shoplifting. Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Police reported an 83.3% increase in outcomes for victims of retail crime.

It follows the launch of the Retail Crime Action Plan and introduction of city centre units last year. Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said: "In the past, this crime has not been given the attention or priority it deserves."

A force-wide initiative - Operation Stopall, tackles the most prolific retail offenders by working with the community to gather evidence on repeat offenders.

The initiative has enabled officers to improve their response by building stronger cases which result in fewer court hearings because offenders are pleading guilty at the first opportunity, the force said.

Of 248 offences reported, 10 offenders have been charged with 176 offences and five individuals under investigation for another 72 offences.

"The public have rightly been concerned about the lack of action and the blatant attitude of prolific offenders and organised crime gangs stealing, often without attempting to conceal their theft.

Chief Constable Scott Chilton said: "It is not acceptable for retail staff to come to work and fear criminality, anti-social behaviour or violence.  bbc.com


The West Coast May Be Waking Up - Have They Had Enough?
San Francisco Voters Pass Measure to Expand Police Powers
Prop. E continues the mayor's efforts to lean into a law enforcement-led crackdown in response to the city's problems with property crime and open-air drug dealing.

Overall, the measure will give police more flexibility in how they do their jobs while trying to ensure they spend less time on paperwork. It will also slow down the process by which the commission can set new policies governing the Police Department.

Under Prop. E, that threshold is lowered so that officers can give chase if the person has committed or is likely to commit a felony or violent misdemeanor. Breed has said the change could allow officers to more easily chase suspects caught robbing or breaking into retail stores, for example.

The measure will also allow SFPD to use drones for car chases and other investigations, and it will let police install publicly owned surveillance cameras without needing to go through a lengthy city approval process. officer.com

Voters make it clear: San Francisco can no longer be called a progressive city
Not after voters approved ballot measures Tuesday to loosen restrictions on the police and screen welfare recipients for drugs, while a measure to boost developers was leading and likely to pass.


Hundreds of National Guard Troops Heading to NYC
New York Gov. Hochul to dispatch 750 National Guard troops to NYC subways following spate of violence
Get ready to open your backpack or bag to National Guard troops or state law enforcement when you ride New York City's subway. Gov. Hochul is deploying 750 members of the Guard and 250 state and MTA police officers to subway stations to inspect passengers' bags following a spate of violent incidents across the system.

"No one heading to their job or to visit family or to go to a doctor's appointment should worry that the person sitting next to them possesses a deadly weapon," Hochul said Wednesday beside MTA chairman Janno Lieber in front of a giant system map at the MTA's Rail Control Center. "They shouldn't worry about whether someone's going to brandish a knife or a gun."

The random checks will fall well short of the body scans and pat downs of airport-level security. Straphangers are already familiar with how this will work - cops at tables performing random bag checks have appeared at subway turnstiles from time to time in the the 22 years since the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Transit officials said the state support would simply allow for more such spot checks throughout the system, and that the National Guard, MTA police or other state law enforcement won't be patrolling the trains. nydailynews.com


DC auditor points to lagging performance by some crime-fighting agencies
As the D.C. Council prepares to vote on a massive anti-crime bill, the D.C. Auditor has released a report that suggests the city's fight against crime would be strengthened if some District agencies performed their jobs as they should. In a review of recent, related audits, Patterson singled out the D.C. crime lab, the Department of Forensic Sciences, which recently regained partial accreditation after losing its ability to process evidence in 2021. wtop.com


Calif. Highway Patrol Sees Highest Application Surge up 94% in Seven Years

New Zealand: Lives could be at stake if Govt doesn't step in over retail crime

Progressive LA County DA faces 11 primary challengers amid uproar over crime
 

Multiple Killed in Attack on Commercial Ship
Crew members killed for first time in Houthi attack on commercial ship near Yemen, US officials say
A Houthi ballistic missile attack on a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden resulted in at least two fatalities among the crew members, two US officials told CNN, marking the first time that the Iran-backed militant group has killed anyone as part of their ongoing attacks on ships transiting the Red Sea.

The attack struck the M/V True Confidence, a Barbados-flagged, Liberian-owned bulk carrier, the officials said. The ship has since been abandoned and coalition warships are now in the area assessing the situation, the officials said. At least six other crew members were injured, one of the officials said.

The attack happened around 11:30 am Sanaa time, or around 3:30 a.m. ET, one of the officials said. The strike marks a significant escalation of the Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping, which began in October in response to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. cnn.com


Risky Supply Chains
Supply chains a dealmaking snag for retail

In today's climate, a risky supply chain can make or break a retail deal

Why it matters: In 2024, retailers are staring down risks like growing cybercrime, labor unrest, more extreme weather, and the specter of a potential government shutdown.

What they're saying: "It literally seems like every two years or so there's some massive globally impacting supply chain disruption," Aron Bohlig, managing partner at ComCap, says.

The big picture: Supply chain risk is particularly prevalent in production sectors: construction, fishing, farming, food, clothing and textiles, and footwear. Risks can include supplier bankruptcies, cybersecurity, and ethical concerns with sourcing, alongside large macro events like natural disasters and political instability.

Investors are wary of chains tied to Russia, Venezuela and Brazil, which despite its large economy, has seen political turmoil, Bohlig says.

Friction point: Supply chain issues take a while to resolve, which can sometimes kill deals, Bohlig says. Whether companies are working with current suppliers on issues or developing relationships with new suppliers, both strategies take time. axios.com


Return of Target employees brings jolt of life to downtown Minneapolis
The retail giant is encouraging corporate workers to spend a week in the office once per quarter. As the white-and-red-badged employees took to the skyways and sidewalks this week, it was a bit like downtown used to feel.

A downtown Minneapolis parking ramp near Target headquarters said it was the busiest it's been in years. Target employees are back in town.

Company spokesman Brian Harper-Tibaldo said thousands of the company's employees regularly work in its downtown offices already but that the quarterly "core weeks" provide additional time and space for them to connect and collaborate.

"It's one component of our hybrid work model that balances in-person and virtual work, providing the team with flexibility in how they collaborate," Harper-Tibaldo said in a statement.

Target's voluntary return-to-office week comes amid mounting pressure from downtown boosters and Mayor Jacob Frey for businesses to bring workers back and toss a lifeline to the eateries and other establishments that once relied on their patronage. startribune.com


800 Stores Through 2028
Aldi plans big expansion through new store openings, conversions
The discount grocer plans to add 800 stores nationwide by the end of 2028 through a combination of new openings and store conversions. In line with its plans, Aldi said it has completed its acquisition of Southeastern Grocers (SEG) and its Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket banners, which will drive significant growth in the Southeast region, adding approximately 400 stores throughout Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Aldi will invest more than $9 billion over the next five years on its expansion, adding new locations across the country. As part of its growth trajectory, the grocer will strengthen its already strong presence in the Northeast and Midwest, adding nearly 330 stores across both regions by the end of 2028. The grocer will also grow its presence in the West by adding more stores in Southern California and Phoenix — and by entering new cities such as Las Vegas. chainstoreage.com


Going All In on Brick & Mortar
Target to open 300 stores over next decade
The discounter said it plans to build more than 300 stores over the next decade as its looks to reach "new guests with a shopping experience that's welcoming, convenient and fun, whether they're shopping the aisles or using same-day services." The news followed the release of the chain's better-than-expected fourth quarter results. chainstoreage.com


Ross Stores to open 90 new stores in 2024

Pilot Travel Centers to add 35 locations, remodel 75 in 2024

NRF Economist Says Inflation and Interest Rates Remain Key

UK retail sales slumped 2.5% as shoppers stay home in wet weather


Quarterly Results

Abercrombie & Fitch Q4 net sales up 21%, FY net sales up 16%

Nordstrom Q4 net sales up 2.2%

Weis Markets Q4 store comp's up 0.2%, net sales down 7.1%, Full Year store comp's up 2.3%, net sales up 0.02%

Foot Locker Q4 comp's down 0.7%, total sales up 2%, Full Year sales down 6.8%

Best Buy comp's down 4.8%, sales down less than 1%, Full Year comp's down 34%, sales down 6%

Foot Locker Q4 comp's down 0.7%, total sales up 2%, Full Year sales down 6.8%
 

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