Anti-Theft Bills - Self-Checkout Rollback - Store Security Investments
Is the nationwide push to fight ORC finally starting to bear fruit?

Retailers howled about theft last year. Why not now?
For much of the past year or so, executives at big retailers did something unusual: They talked about theft in their stores. A lot.

Walmart's CEO warned it could lead to store closures and higher prices. Target's CEO said it was costing the chain upward of a billion dollars. Home Depot's finance chief called it a "consistent pressure" that the chain is "tackling every day."

With a backdrop of viral videos showing brazen and violent thieves, crime became a common theme on retailers' typically dry quarterly earnings calls. Executives often mentioned "shrink" - inventory missing for one reason or another - as a factor behind declining profits. The list grew long: Macy's, Best Buy, Dick's Sporting Goods, T.J.Maxx, Dollar General.

Fast-forward to this year, and the fever pitch seems to be fading.

So far this earnings season: Walgreens said the problem remains - and is really bad in some places. But Foot Locker described changes in shrink as "relatively neutral." T.J.Maxx's parent company found it better than expected. Target cited "really solid progress." Many didn't mention shrink at all. Two retailers hurt by theft in the past - Ulta and Dick's Sporting Goods - will address investors on Thursday.

What has changed?

Retailers cite a few things: Federal and state lawmakers have drafted new crime bills, and some have become law. Many stores have scaled back self-checkout options and locked away more products behind glass doors; their security investments are starting to bear fruit.

But one thing remains the same: Crime data has yet to indicate a nationwide epidemic of theft, leaving us only to guess at the true scale of the problem - then and now.

How big of a problem is retail theft? - What happened at Walgreens and Target - Safety measures turn off shoppers  npr.org


The Tough Task of Assessing Retail Theft Trends
'Developing clearer data' is key to informing policymakers and law enforcement

Myth vs. Reality: Trends in Retail Theft

Despite spikes in some cities, crime data doesn't show a nationwide increase in shoplifting and other forms of retail theft.

Violent crime has declined nationally since jumping in 2020, but trends in retail theft are more difficult to assess, in part because of varying data collection and theft reporting methods. That said, the available crime data and industry figures cut against claims of a national increase in retail theft, despite notable spikes in some cities.

Here is what we know about recent trends in retail theft.

Definitions matter.

The first and most common is shoplifting, which generally refers to an individual instance of small-scale theft for personal gain. Another more recent concern is organized retail theft, a coordinated, "professional" theft of merchandise, usually involving more than one person, for the purpose of reselling items on the black market for financial gain. While at least 30 states have specific statutes targeting organized retail crime, the definitions vary widely. Legally, both of these offenses fall under the definition of larceny.

The data does not show a national increase in larceny, including shoplifting.

Larceny has been declining nationally since 1990, with an especially steep decline in 2020 and 2021, followed by a rebound in 2022. Taken together, that is a decline of around 10 percent since 2019. In a November 2023 report from the Council on Criminal Justice, the average shoplifting rate across a group of 24 cities had declined over the past few years. At the same time, the council's data showed significant spikes in some cities.

Those concerned about the impacts of organized theft should focus on developing clearer data to help inform policymakers and law enforcement as they search for solutions. Until that clarity materializes, it would be a mistake to jump to sweeping responses such as lowering felony theft thresholds or instituting new penalties, especially given the mixed and nuanced evidence on the effects of the former.  brennancenter.org


New York Retail Workers Rally for Workplace Violence Bill
Retail workers push for stronger protection plans as theft, violence skyrocket
As Gov. Kathy Hochul pushes a major crackdown on retail theft, retail workers rallied at the state Capitol this week to support a bill that aims to prevent workplace violence against employees.

The legislation would mandate employers to conduct a risk evaluation by examining the workplace for potential hazards and develop a workplace violence prevention program. Speaking at a press conference Tuesday, state Assembly Labor Committee Chair Jessica Ramos said employers must have a plan to protect their workers and not just their merchandise.

Several attendees used the 2022 mass shooting at a Tops Supermarket in Buffalo as one example for why this training is needed for retail workers. Stuart Appelbaum, president of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), said many retail workers are experiencing escalating retail violence in recent years.

"We recently surveyed retail workers throughout New York, this is what we found. Over 80% of retail workers are worried about active shooters coming into their workplace. Fifty-seven percent of workers have experienced verbal harassment or intimidating conduct from a customer, co-worker or manager within the last year," Appelbaum said. "And yet, over half of workers have received no training on how to deal with this."

The legislation notes that, in many retail settings, security guard positions have been cut to save money and there is currently no formalized system to report violent incidents and assess their causes in order to better create prevention strategies.

The rise in retail violence comes at a time when retail theft is skyrocketing. During her State of the State address in January, Hochul unveiled a plan to crack down.  dailygazette.com


Up to 3 Years Prison Time for Those Who Steal With Intent to Sell
California Democrats take small steps to curb raging retail theft - here's how
California Democrats disclosed provisions in a bill Thursday that would crack down on the state's retail theft problem after lawmakers announced a legislative plan last month to combat the issue.

Assembly Bill 2943 includes a provision imposing a criminal penalty of up to three years for individuals found in possession of stolen property with intent to resell it. It would also require online sellers to keep records of legal custody for items they are selling.

If a person commits theft from more than one victim, the value of the stolen items from each victim can be used to meet the $950 minimum value for theft to be considered a felony, according to the bill. Additionally, the legislation would expand police power, giving law enforcement the ability to hold repeat offenders in custody.

Still, the new measure doesn't touch Prop 47, which doesn't sit well with law enforcement, Republicans, and some residents who have been putting pressure on the progressive state lawmakers to solve the theft problem.

California Highway Patrol has made 1,301 arrests and found $10 million in stolen goods, according to new optimistic data from CHP's Organized Retail Crime Task Force released in January.

Turning toward stricter crime laws has become popular in liberal states like California, where businesses have been packing up and leaving due to surges in violent crime, smash-and-grabs, and homelessness. Now under a national spotlight, combined with internal pressure from voters, Republicans, and centrist Democrats, progressive lawmakers are scrambling to pass tough-on-crime legislation to stop the issue in its tracks. washingtonexaminer.com


Using TikTok to Spread Awareness of Shoplifting Surge
Small San Francisco business warns about shoplifting on TikTok
The cost of new security gates and cameras have become all too familiar for small businesses dealing with theft. One business owner has been spreading awareness on social media to get the word out.

Chandler tang posted her surveillance video on TikTok after two shoplifting incidents took place at her San Francisco store in the same week last month. The video shows people wandering, then stuffing items in their jackets and pockets before walking out of the store.

Tang opened her shop four years ago at the start of the pandemic, where San Francisco saw a rise in retail theft and burglaries. According to city leaders however, overall crime numbers are down in the city for the month of February in 2024.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed's office reports that when comparing February 2024 to the same month last year, the city is seeing a 37% reduction in larceny, which includes car break-ins and retail theft, a 20% reduction in robberies, and a 14% reduction in burglaries.

Crime data from the San Francisco Police Department showed the northern station covering Post.Script's neighborhood seeing a drop in larceny theft and burglaries in 2024.

While crime may be down, the cost for a small business experiencing crime still weighs heavy. Tang says after posting about her experience, she has received an outpouring of support from customers. news.yahoo.com


AZ's Plan to Allow Citizens to Arrest Shoplifters Makes More Headlines
'If you come here to commit crimes like these, plan to stay'

Arizona lawmakers want to stop organized retail theft
It's a bill that allows citizens to arrest suspected shoplifters. Lawmakers want to stop organized retail theft. Law enforcement officials have been telling customers in Arizona about thieves stealing large hauls of merchandise from stores and selling the stolen goods.

Arizona lawmakers say the goal is to prevent this by empowering citizens to detain and arrest people they suspect of stealing from a retail store. But Democratic lawmakers expressed concern that this bill would encourage some citizens to use unnecessary violence against others.

Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said these shoplifters are coming from California. "Word needs to go out to people in California - or wherever else they may hail from - if you come here to commit crimes like these, plan to stay," Mitchell said. The bill passed out of the Arizona Senate in a 16-14 vote with no support from democrats. kvoa.com


D.C. Bill Cracking Down on Organized Theft Signed Into Law
Mayor Bowser signs Secure DC crime bill into law
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed into law Monday the new Secure D.C. Omnibus Amendment Act of 2024. It's a comprehensive piece of legislation designed to combat the crime crisis impacting lives all across the city. The Secure D.C. Bill was a roughly 100-page piece of legislation passed by the DC Council last Tuesday.

Now, with the stroke of a pen, Secure D.C. is the law. The mayor called reporters to the Wilson Building Monday to document her signing the bill into law.

"Secure D.C. will help us rebalance that public safety ecosystem that has changed over the last 10 years, and we're starting to swing it back to the right place," Mayor Bowser said. Its key components will take effect immediately, even though Congress needs to sign off on it.

It strengthens gun penalties, cracks down on organized theft, and expands the definition of carjacking. It also creates drug-free zones and allows for the collection of suspects' DNA if they're charged with a violent or sex crime. fox5dc.com


In Case You Missed It: Florida Gov & AG Take Action to Eliminate Retail Theft

Aurora, Colorado City Council weighs tougher penalties on retail theft
 

'Women in Security Forum Power 100 List'
Four Allied Universal Leaders Named to Women in Security Forum Power 100

Honorees Recognized for Advancing Diversity, Inclusion, Innovation and Leadership in Male-Dominated Industry

IRVINE, Calif. - March 8, 2024 - Allied Universal®, the world's leading security and facility services company, is pleased to announce that four of the company's prominent female leaders have been selected for the Security Industry Association (SIA) 2024 Women in Security Forum (WISF) Power 100 list. The annual initiative sponsored by the SIA Women in Security Forum, honors 100 women in the security industry who actively advance diversity, inclusion, innovation and leadership in the community.

Allied Universal WISF Power 100 Honorees include:

Nancy Peterson - Executive Vice President and General Counsel - North America: Peterson leads the Allied Universal North America legal and compliance teams with responsibility for all legal matters affecting the company's U.S. and Canada operations. Her commitment to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in the security industry is readily evident in the diverse staff of the in-house legal team.

Rachelle Loyear - Vice President, Integrated Security Solutions: With more than 18 years of extensive experience in the field of security and risk management, Loyear provides strategic leadership, program direction, development and management, and process implementation for North America as part of the company's security risk management and integrated solutions support program.

Tia Eskandari - Director of Service, Southwest Region at Allied Universal Technology Services: Eskandari is responsible for driving the overall execution and performance of the field service team which includes responding to client service requests, managing contracts and master service agreements, team schedules, and overall business objectives for the field service group.


Carla Manzanilla - Program Manager, Allied Universal Technology Services: Manzanilla is a program manager for one of Allied Universal's high-profile clients and oversees a team of project managers, superintendents, application engineers and project coordinators. Her team is responsible for installing, managing and servicing the client's security systems at substations, service centers, combined facilities and generating sites. ausnewsroom.aus.com


RFID-Powered Scan-and-Go Fizzles Out for Walmart
Walmart piloted an RFID receipt check. It didn't work out.

The retailer confirmed it has ended a recent test of the checkout technology at a Neighborhood Market store in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Walmart recently discontinued a test of a machine that verified purchases people made using the retailer's scan-and-go checkout solution at one of its stores in Bentonville, Arkansas, a spokesperson for the retailer said.

The machine, which the retailer was piloting since at least November, used Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) tech to verify what customers purchased. The pilot marks the latest checkout innovation tested by the retailer as companies look to reduce shrink at their front ends.

The appearance of the machine suggested it was a new type of self-checkout system. A news site for the kiosk industry even noted in a post last year that the machine was a new form of self-checkout, when in fact it is a receipt verification system for scan-and-go.

The Walmart spokesperson did not comment on why the pilot of the automated receipt check machine ended in late January but noted that the retailer will use its findings from the test as it continues to try out more innovations. retaildive.com


San Francisco Loses More Retailers
Zara to close downtown San Francisco store
Zara is the latest of several retailers who recently announced they will be closing a downtown San Francisco location. The clothing store will be shutting its doors for good in January 2025. However, there will still be a Zara store in downtown SF. Located a few blocks away, the location inside the Emporium Centre mall will remain open, the spokesperson added.

A few stores down, The North Face announced this week it will be closing its only San Francisco store. The North Face, which was founded in San Francisco, will have its final day of business in Union Square sometime this month.

Last week, Macy's announced it will be closing its iconic Union Square location. The closures add to the list of retailers leaving the San Francisco downtown area, especially in the Emporium Centre (formerly called SF Centre and Westfield). kron4.com


Hybrid Work is Now the 'Status Quo'
Who Still Works From Home?
The American workplace's experiment with remote work happened, effectively, overnight: With the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, more than half of workers began working from home at least part of the time, according to Gallup. But the shift to a permanent hybrid-work reality has been gradual, with periods of tension as workers across white-collar industries pushed against executives' return-to-office orders.

Those battles have largely come to an end, and workplaces have reached a new hybrid-work status quo. Roughly one-tenth of workers are cobbling together a combination of work in the office and from home, and a similar portion are working entirely remotely.

This population of hybrid and remote workers in the United States doesn't quite mirror the larger population of workers: Government data shows they tend to have more education and are more often white and Asian. nytimes.com


Does America Need More ALDI Stores?

Are 'Underemployed' College Grads an Opportunity for Retail?
 

Senior LP & AP Jobs Market

Loss Prevention Director job posted for Sendik's Food Markets in Milwaukee, WI
The Loss Prevention Director is a strategic and hands-on role that is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to minimize operational and financial losses within Sendik's. In this pivotal role, you will oversee all aspects of loss prevention, safety, sanitation and risk management, ensuring the protection of company assets, people, and brand reputation. us232.dayforcehcm.com
 

Last week's #1 article --

NYPD's War Against Retail Theft
Inside look at the NYPD's plan to combat Staten Island shoplifters & retail theft
To stem the ongoing issue on Staten Island, the NYPD has implemented a multi-faceted approach that includes monitoring repeat offenders, streamlined communication with workers at major shopping complexes, and combatting tactics typically utilized by organized crews.

The effort was detailed recently by Assistant Chief Joseph Gulotta, the NYPD borough commander, in an exclusive interview with the Advance/SILive.com.

THE STATE OF RETAIL THEFT: Deputy Chief Ebony Washington, the executive officer for Patrol Borough Staten Island, said that arrests were up 46% for retail theft. In looking at citywide figures from 2024, petit larceny, the theft of property below the value of $1,000, is down 0.3% compared to the same time last year. Meanwhile, grand larceny, the theft of property valued at more than $1,000, is down 1%, according to the NYPD's CompStat Database.

THE FORCES BEHIND RETAIL THEFT: In his interview, Gulotta emphasized two contributing groups driving retail theft on the Island: Organized crews and repeat offenders. In response, Gulotta said that the NYPD began tracking the small group of individuals that commit many of these crimes, regardless if it is a case of retail theft, a break-in or a burglary. silive.com