By Amber Bradley, Executive Director of RLPSA

The 2024 RLPSA Annual Conference transformed Las Vegas into a high-stakes arena of innovation, and inspiration. Taking place at the M Resort & Spa from March 24th to 27th, this gathering was not just a meeting of the minds but a vibrant collaboration between restaurant loss prevention, safety, and risk professionals and top industry solutions providers. With a record-breaking confluence of industry powerhouses and a jackpot of knowledge and networking opportunities, this event proved to be an unforgettable convergence under the neon lights of the entertainment capital.

Day 1 set the tone with an electrifying vibe that only Vegas could conjure. Harry Thomas Jr and Rob Holm, both representing McDonald's, took center stage with their fireside chat, illuminating the vital interplay between security, safety, and risk teams. Their conversation unfolded a wide range of insights, each serving up deep understanding and strategies for collaboration that resonated with every attendee. The excitement peaked with sessions on OSHA & Workplace Violence Programs, where Susan Wiltsie dug into new safety regulations. Dan Moren from Starbucks and expert panelists then turned legal theory into practical application, demonstrating powerful, real-world strategies aimed at positioning restaurants ahead of the new regulations.

The day's narrative took an impactful turn with the "Workplace Violence Training That Actually Works" breakout session. Led by Sruthy Kuruvilla and Heather Hearn with Amber Bradley moderating, this session captivated a standing-room-only audience. It shone a spotlight on McDonald's and Wawa's innovative approaches to training & awareness, demonstrating that the right methodologies not only safeguard teams but also bolster the bottom line. This powerful discussion was a shining example of how proactive measures in safety and loss prevention can lead to substantial benefits for both employees and organizations alike.

Following this enlightening session, the conference atmosphere seamlessly transitioned as the neon twilight descended, and the exhibit floor morphed into a Tailgate Mania playground. With an array of games from Basketball to Cornhole, the RLPSA community embraced a spirit of friendly competition. This unique blend of serious learning and lighthearted fun underscored a key message of the day: In the vibrant city of Las Vegas, the stakes are always high, but so are the rewards, whether tackling crucial workplace challenges or enjoying a moment of community and fun.

Click here to see the full RLPSA recap and and video wrap-ups
 

14 States Passed New Retail Theft Laws in 2022 & 2023
But a new study questions whether data supports the push for tougher laws

Why we don't actually know whether retail theft is a big problem

States and cities are passing new laws on theft without knowing the scale of the issue, a new report's authors say

Knowing which losses can be attributed to casual theft versus organized crime at a given store - much less nationally - is essentially impossible. It's partly a definition problem. "Organized retail crime," "retail theft," and similar terms don't correspond with categories that local police departments use to categorize crimes, Hanna Love, a fellow at Brookings, told Business Insider.

That means many claims from retailers about those crimes rising relies on data that includes related but different offenses, such as shoplifting.

Retail executives often talk about "shrink" on earnings calls, but shrink includes a lot more than that, from employees stealing from store shelves to fresh food that arrives at the store spoiled.

Twenty-four cities have kept good data over the past five years on shoplifting, the Brookings report found. Those numbers can include the sort of organized efforts that retailers have been talking about as well as individuals who are caught stealing. But even that data seems to counter the narrative about theft: In 17 of the cities, shoplifting actually fell between 2018 and 2023.

But the panic over theft - despite not knowing whether it's as bad as retailers say it is - has already had a real effect, Love and Sebastian told BI. States and municipalities either have already altered the laws on punishing shoplifters or are considering changes, citing the perceived rise in organized retail crime.

About fourteen states passed new laws on retail theft in 2022 and 2023, Stateline reported in December. Many raised the punishment for stealing, such as an Indiana law that makes organized theft of at least $50,000 in goods a felony. Previously, it was a misdemeanor. All of the laws referenced rising rates of retail theft, according to the report.

The retail theft laws highlight how claims made by retailers can affect the law - even if there's no data to back it up, Sebastian told BI. More stringent laws for shoplifting don't necessarily deter would-be thieves, the researchers said. But they could result in more arrests - and, potentially, more deaths, even if someone is just suspected of stealing.  businessinsider.com


Rogue Prosecutors - Repeat Offenders - Prop 47 - Not Enough Police
The top issues fueling California's theft surge?

Issue Brief: Protecting California's Retailers from Theft
In late 2023, the California State Assembly Select Committee on Retail Theft held its first hearing to assess the impact of retail crime across the state (California State Assembly, 2023). In this hearing, stakeholders from across industries and political backgrounds described the destructive effects of retail crime, validating the concerns of millions of Californians that retail theft is a threat to their communities.

California retailers face an onslaught of theft that threatens their economic viability, places workers in dangerous situations, and damages Californians' sense of safety in their communities.

This scourge of retail crime is particularly harmful in California's largest cities, Los Angeles and San Francisco, where prosecutors have neglected their duty to hold criminals accountable, and the local population has little confidence in the police.

To combat this crisis, policymakers should crack down on rogue progressive prosecutors, pursue repeat offenders, raise police officer pay, hire more police officers, reform Proposition 47, and restore faith in local police.

The retail industry in California includes more than 500,000 establishments, generates over 3.6 million jobs, and is responsible for $5,624 in per capita GDP. When the retail industry suffers, California suffers. Effects of retail theft include price increases by store owners seeking to compensate for losses and a decline in consumer foot traffic, which can further exacerbate crime and outright store closures. This issue brief outlines the data showing the rise in retail theft in California, examines the causes of theft, and provides America First solutions to this crisis. americafirstpolicy.com
 

Practical Progressives at War with Criminal Justice Reformers Over Theft
Debate Over Retail Theft Informs the Future of Criminal Justice Reform - Legislative Dems Are Divided Over It
In February, Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo introduced AB 1990, which, in attempting to deal with an increase in retail theft, "would authorize a peace officer to make a warrantless arrest for a misdemeanor shoplifting offense not committed in the officer's presence if the officer has probable cause to believe that person has committed shoplifting."

Carrillo said, "By enhancing coordination between law enforcement agencies, introducing tougher penalties for these crimes, and increasing enforcement against suspected shoplifters, we are sending a clear message: we will not tolerate these acts that threaten our public safety and economic vitality."

But not everyone agrees. Assemblymember Tina McKinnor, on X posted a video exchange between Assemblymember Kevin McCarty and Rachel Michelin, the President and CEO of the California Retailers Association.

McCarty noted, "Some retailers aren't allowing arrests to happen in the stores because of perception. They don't want to have a bad video that goes on TikTok and so forth." Michelin defended the policy, stating "our number one priority is the safety of our customers and our employees in the store."

She argued it could be "very traumatic" if you have "law enforcement brazenly coming into a store and starting to arrest people."

In her tweet, Assemblymember McKinnor posted, "We don't need to end Prop. 47. We don't need #ab1990, which will only promote mass incarceration. We need our law enforcement partners to enforce the law, not discourage retailers from asking for help."  davisvanguard.org
 

Will Voters Get a Chance to Repeal Prop 47?
CA's Response To Smash-And-Grab Retail Theft Getting Big Input From IE

If leaders from Riverside and San Bernardino counties get their way, California voters could have a say.

"Soft-on-crime policies and laws have allowed retail theft rings to emerge as a growing problem in California, which requires a close working relationship with local law enforcement agencies in different jurisdictions," Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco said. "The Riverside County Sheriff's Office will aggressively identify and arrest retail crime suspects and will remain engaged with DOJ to ensure these suspects are prosecuted to the full extent of the law."

Like Bianco, some Californians and a bipartisan group of Golden State lawmakers - many from the Inland Empire - say they've had enough. Two separate pieces of legislation aim to crack down on retail theft in California.

Bianco has long called for a repeal of the state's Prop. 47. Passed by California voters in 2014, the law made some non-violent property crimes misdemeanors as long as theft was under $950. Bianco blasted the predominantly Democratic state assembly and said Californians "must stand up" to repeal the law. Californians may get a chance to do that.

Supporters are working the streets, trying to garner enough signatures to get the measure on the statewide November ballot. According to the California Secretary of State's office, as of Jan. 24 the measure had 25% of the required signatures. The deadline is April 23. patch.com


Walgreens Shooting Lawsuit
Nashville woman sues Walgreens after employee allegedly shot her while she was pregnant
Travonsha Ferguson, 25, is suing Walgreens after one of their employees reportedly shot her while she was seven months pregnant. Her child survived after an emergency C-section. The incident happened at the Walgreens located in the 2500 block of Gallatin Avenue in East Nashville.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), an employee thought Ferguson and another woman were shoplifting. The employee followed the women to a vehicle and then approached them. He then said he was sprayed in the face with mace before shooting Ferguson.

The employee is claiming self-defense because he didn't know if either of them had a gun in their possession. Lawyer L. Chris Stewart said, "We want Walgreens to be held accountable." wkrn.com


Lincoln City, OR: Police warn of organized retail thefts

Video: Businesses losing billions to organized retail thieves reselling for profits

Video: Retail crime soars across Victoria, Australia
 

The Future of Retail is All About Experience
Brick & mortar is alive and well!

Why in-store experiences are key to retail success in 2024

Let 2024 be the year you increase your commitment to creating memorable and fun in-store experiences.

Despite what many people have declared, brick-and-mortar is very much alive and well. Customers are continuing to shop in physical locations, and retailers have more opportunities than ever to create unique in-store experiences that customers can't get online. Not only can these experiences draw customers into your store and drive sales, but they can also increase brand loyalty, create a community of customers, and get them to return and spend more with you across channels.

Physical locations can offer tangible, sensory experiences that customers can't get online, and 79% of consumers believe that the experience a company provides is just as important as its products and services. In 2024, retailers have a lot of opportunities to provide value to their customers through in-location experiences.

Consumers are looking for personalization from the brands they shop with. Seventy-two percent of consumers expect the businesses they buy from to see them as individuals and get to know their interests. Meanwhile, 71% of consumers expect companies to provide them with personalized interactions, and 76% say they get frustrated when they don't see this happen.

In addition to personalization, retailers have the opportunity to build unique in-location experiences that draw their customers in and make them want to come back. There are many different options retailers can offer: interactive digital screens and signage; self-service kiosks and self-checkout options; AR and VR experiences to learn more about products or do a virtual try-on; entertainment, classes, or events; or even ambient lighting or music. fastcompany.com


Economic & Business Impact of the Baltimore Bridge Collapse
Baltimore Bridge Collapse Could Cost $9 Million a Day
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after it was hit by a cargo vessel in the early hours of Tuesday has paused shipping at the city's main port, potentially leading to losses of $9 million a day, a supply chain expert told Newsweek.

More than 847,000 vehicles came through the port last year, according to Maryland state data. It ranked first in the nation in the import and export of automobiles, light trucks and construction materials. It is also ranked second in the country in the coal exports. In 2022, it was ranked sixth in coffee imports-around 120,000 tons valued at nearly $610 million.

The port is a key economic contributor to the economy of Baltimore, responsible for more than 15,000 jobs and generating $2.6 billion in business income to the state. It is host to 50 ocean carriers that make about 1,800 trips a year, state data shows.

On Tuesday, during a press conference, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said that shipping was suspended for the time being and the focus was on the search and rescue of those who were impacted by the bridge's collapse.

The halt in shipping to and from the port may lead to losses of close to $9 million for every day that it is shut down, according to Patrick Penfield, a professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University.

Penfield suggested that the port's closure will force shipments to be rerouted to other locations, such as the Port of New York and New Jersey or the Port of Savannah in Georgia. However, it could take at least two weeks for the shift to fully take effect, he said.  newsweek.com


Cargo Ship Delivered Ikea Furniture, Flooring Before Baltimore Bridge Crash
Furniture, appliances, plasticware, and construction machinery - products that fill the American home and much more are what container ship Dali offloaded in Baltimore before it slammed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge early Tuesday.

The 984-foot ship was carrying containers from various countries, including China, Thailand, South Korea and Vietnam, to the US East Coast via the Panama Canal. The full shipping list serves as an example of the strong supply chain link between the US and Asia.

Close to 7,000 metric tons worth of goods arrived in Baltimore, according to preliminary US bill-of-ladings data, with Swedish furniture maker Ikea, XCMG North America, Kubota Tractor Corp., and Electrolux AB listed among the importers.

The ship, which made stops at New York and Norfolk before reaching Baltimore, was headed for Colombo when it ran into the bridge. Docks in New Jersey and Virginia face the threat of being overwhelmed by traffic that will be forced away from Baltimore. bnnbloomberg.ca


AI is Only Just Scratching the Surface in Retail
10 ways AI technology can advance the retail sector
The rise of artificial intelligence is disrupting businesses in every industry. But according to Kamaraj Chinnasamy from Tata Consultancy Services, AI has still barely scratched the surface of the retail sector. He outlines 10 ways how AI can be used to enhance customer experience, supply chains, customer service, and more.

1) Personalisation
2) Autonomous Stores: AI-driven Retail Automation
3) Blockchain in Retail Supply Chain
4) Augmented Reality Shopping
5) Chatbots
6) AI-driven Demand and Inventory Management
7) Integration of IoT and Tech
8) Facial Recognition: Retail Security and Privacy
9) Smart Carbon Tracking
10) AI in Fashion: Data-driven Insights  consultancy.uk


Macy's closures a win for off price
The biggest beneficiary of the department store's plan to shrink its footprint is TJX, which runs T.J. Maxx and other retailers, analysts say.

Partial list of Dollar Tree / Family Dollar store closures

GameStop cuts undisclosed number of jobs as Q4, full-year sales fall
 

As AI Grows, So Do Security Concerns
Security concerns creep into generative AI adoption

As the AI ecosystem grows and more tools connect to internal data, threat actors have a wider field to introduce vulnerabilities.

Generative AI lures enterprise leaders with potential advantages, such as expanding data analytics, speeding up work and reducing administrative burdens. But cybersecurity leaders are wary the novel tech can introduce new problems in an already precarious environment.

As vendors and CEOs push for CIOs to embark on swift implementation, cybersecurity pros are finding themselves in a familiar position - keep up or get pushed out.

"The CISOs that I talk with are more like holding up their hand saying, 'Wait, stop, this is moving too fast,' and historically cybersecurity people have always been the ones to question whether a new technology is ready for prime time," said Ed Skoudis, president of the SANS Technology Institute.

Despite concerns, CISOs are eager to join CIOs in formulating plans and strategies focused on the technology, a potential net positive for the organization.

CIOs with the knowledge that AI platforms have flaws will be better off than those in blissful ignorance. Businesses can proactively address vulnerabilities by deploying automated tools to scan models, keeping cyber professionals in the loop and searching for signs of malicious activity.

Cyber expertise is becoming especially critical as the menu of generative AI procurement options expands. cybersecuritydive.com


Cyberattack That Impacted Pharmacies Nationwide
Senior lawmaker questions UnitedHealth over Change cyberattack
The top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability is pressing UnitedHealth Group for details on the cyberattack at Change Healthcare that's derailed the healthcare sector for more than a month.

In a letter sent Monday to UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty, Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., asked for details regarding what data may have been exposed, what policies or procedures were in place to prevent an attack and details about the company's financial assistance program for providers.

While services are now beginning to come back online after the cyberattack in late February, providers say the long recovery has strained their finances and limited key tasks like prior authorization requests and patient eligibility checks.

A survey conducted by the American Hospital Association found 94% of respondents reported financial impact due to the cyberattack, with more than half experiencing "significant or serious" effects.

The letter from Raskin, which gives UnitedHealth an April 8 deadline for a response, cited pharmacy challenges too, including prescription delays at the military healthcare program Tricare. UnitedHealth said earlier this month its pharmacy network services had mostly been restored. cybersecuritydive.com


New CISA Cyber Disclosure Requirements
CISA issues notice for long-awaited critical infrastructure reporting requirements

CIRCIA will require covered entities to promptly disclose major cyber incidents and ransomware payments.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency posted a long-anticipated notice of proposed rulemaking Wednesday for the Cyber Incident Reporting for Critical Infrastructure Act of 2022. The rule would require covered entities to promptly report cyber disruptions and ransomware payments.

CIRCIA requires covered entities to report significant cyber incidents within 72 hours of discovery. Critical infrastructure entities will also have to report ransom payments within 24 hours.

The proposed rule is designed to help federal authorities better coordinate critical infrastructure threat responses and share vital details with industry and government partners.

CISA estimates the cost of the proposed rule will be $2.6 billion over the period of analysis and estimates more than 316,000 entities will potentially be affected by the rule. cybersecuritydive.com


Phishing remains top route to initial access

Attackers leverage weaponized iMessages, new phishing-as-a-service platform