NRF announces new format, theme and timing for NRF 2021: Retail's Big Show
The National Retail Federation announced today its annual exposition and conference will take place in-person at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City June 6-8, 2021.

In addition, NRF is hosting a virtual event January 12-14, 19 and 21-22, 2021. Both events will feature the theme "Forward Together."

NRF received unanimous support from its major exhibitors, sponsors and partners regarding the decision to move the "in-person" exposition and conference to June 2021. The June exposition and conference will include self-guided store tours, expo tours, membership and red carpet lounges, workshops and social events both on and off the show floor in New York City. The January 2021 virtual event will be hosted entirely online, and feature robust content combined with a digital exposition. nrf.com

Editor's Note: The D&D Daily will be shooting our LPNN Series 'Live in NYC at the NRF Big Show,' Monday June 7th with our LP Reception Tuesday night June 8th.


siffron Receives Prestigious Award From Shop! Retail Environments Association
Shop!, the global trade association dedicated to enhancing retail environments and experiences, announced today that siffron has received the OMA Award Gold Winner recognizing their outstanding work in retail design. The judges cited siffron for creating a superb combination of the elements critical to success at retail: excellence in design, originality in use of space and materials, and quality of concept execution.

"We are thrilled that we were chosen as a Gold Winner of the esteemed OMA Awards," said Robb Northrup, Director of Marketing at siffron. "This display fit a unique opportunity that the Hershey Company presented us with, and our team was able to deliver a high-impact, cost-effective solution. We are pleased to be recognized along with the Hershey company for this innovative display." Read more here.

For more details on siffron's project involving Hershey and Reese's, click here.


Prosegur USA Expands the Availability of Thermal FLIR Cameras for Body Temperature Screening - Read more in today's Press Release column below
 

Albertsons named Supermarket News 'Retailer of the Year'

Industry giant adapts and innovates in challenging marketplace

Supermarket News has selected Albertsons Cos., the nation's second-largest supermarket operator, as its Retailer of the Year for 2020.

The past year has seen Albertsons successfully go public, spur growth and innovation in strategic areas such as e-commerce and private brands, and refresh its store base, among other initiatives. The result: improved customer loyalty, a resurgent financial performance and market share gains.

More recently, the Boise, Idaho-based company has effectively adapted to the vast changes brought by the coronavirus pandemic, implementing comprehensive protections for customers and employees as well as advocating for grocery workers to be designated as emergency first responders during the crisis.

"There have been an unprecedented series of events this year that have impacted all of us, and certainly the grocery industry," said Michael Browne, executive editor of Supermarket News. "But heading into 2020 and through the turbulent year so far, Albertsons has stayed the course with its sales momentum; its immediate strong response to COVID-19; its efforts to promote diversity, equality and inclusion; its technology and branding advances; and its ability to pivot and innovate in a very challenging time. For those reasons, Supermarket News is proud to announce Albertsons as our Retailer of the Year for 2020."  supermarketnews.com

Editor's Note: Congratulations to the entire Albertsons Safeway organization and especially to Kathleen Smith, Vice President Asset Protection, and her entire AP team for the role they played in helping to develop and manage the COVID-19 response and ongoing safety efforts. A monumental task and effort that's been extremely successful and led the way in the safety efforts, thus saving lives and helping to keep their associates and customers safe and healthy. Congrats Albertsons Safeway AP team!


101 Wendy's Franchisee Whistleblower Says CEO Used $1M PPP Loans to Buy New Home
The CEO of a large Wendy's franchisee diverted $1 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans meant to keep workers employed to buy a new house, according to a new lawsuit.

Andrew Levy, the CEO of the Starboard Group, which operates 101 Wendy's locations, instructed former employee Sandi Adler to list some of his personal employees as corporate employees to pull off the scheme, Adler alleges in a new whistleblower suit filed in Florida, CNBC reported.

Starboard in total received $9 million in total through the federal relief program created to aid ailing businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. The franchisee oversees 3,200 employees at locations in seven states.

But a million of that relief went to finance Levy's new home in Montana, according to Adler, a former vice president at the company. nypost.com

Viral Video of a Really Bad Stop
Family Sues Nike for Alleged Racial Profiling in Santa Monica Incident
A Black family that alleges they were racially profiled and wrongly accused of shoplifting by a manager at Nike's Santa Monica store filed a federal civil rights lawsuit Saturday against the athletic apparel company and the former employee.

Joel Stallworth and wife TaMiya Dickerson contend they were accused by white store manager Wendy Magee of stealing a $12 child's basketball on July 5, 2019, from the Nike store on the Third Street Promenade. Dickerson posted a video on Facebook shortly afterward, showing their infant son Samuel holding the ball in the store. It also shows a copy of the receipt from their purchase of the ball.

A message to Nike seeking comment was not immediately answered, but after the video went viral last year, Nike said in a statement that it had reached out to the couple to "express our deepest apologies."

Stallworth and Dickerson argue that "Nike's clever marketing, [which is] intended to profit from Black America's desire for equal treatment can only go so far to cover up the reality that is Nike's problematic culture" that ranges from "its all-white executive leadership ... to Nike's failure to address [this] particular [store] manager's history of racist behavior."

Magee, the store manager, was fired, and subsequently filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the company, according to the family's complaint. nbclosangeles.com thefashionlaw.com

Raleigh, NC: After photos of armed customers in Raleigh go viral, Subway changes open carry policy
Two months after photos of gun-toting customers visiting their downtown Raleigh location drew nationwide attention, Subway has altered its policy regarding firearms in its stores nationwide. The Connecticut-based restaurant chain's website now includes a notice in the health and safety section of its social responsibility policies asking customers, other than law enforcement, to keep their weapons concealed. charlotteobserver.com
 

Across the Pond UK's Retail Theft & Violence Issues
Resources - Penalties & Legislative Battles
Mirroring the U.S.

UK - June 26th: Co-op calls for more protection for shopworkers as violence increases
Co-op is warning of a store crime epidemic unless the government urgently introduces new legislation to provide staff with greater protection.

The convenience retailer has seen store crime increase by more than 140% this year despite communities recognising the critical role played by key workers in society. Numbers of violent incidents have hit record levels with 1,350 attacks having been reported by mid-June.

Recent examples have seen shopworkers spat at and threatened with being 'given coronavirus'.

Co-op is building awareness and support for MP Alex Norris' Assault on Shop Workers Bill, as part of its Safer Colleagues, Safer Communities campaign, which has seen its second reading in Parliament postponed. The bill states that because shop workers have responsibilities to uphold the law on age-restricted products, they should be afforded greater protection in carrying out those public duties.
Read full coverage here

ACS Wants Tougher Penalties & More Police Resources
July 7th: UK Government to crack down on violence against shopworkers
The Home Secretary has today (7 July) set out plans to crack down on abuse and violence against shopworkers.

The plans, which are detailed in the Home Office's response to a call for evidence on the issue, are designed to improve support for victims and ensure perpetrators face justice.

The crime and policing minister Kit Malthouse will write to PCCs and chief constables underscoring the importance of working closely with local businesses to tackle this issue and emphasising that the theft of goods valued up to £200 from a shop should be prosecuted as a criminal offence.

In addition, the government will work with the National Retail Crime Steering Group (NRCSG) on a best practice guide to support staff in reporting these crimes, strengthening and making full use of existing laws, and improving data sharing between businesses and the police. Read full coverage here

July 8th: UK Home Office Pledges to Act To Protect Shopworkers After Crime Report

Co-op Food chief executive welcomes government's pledge to protect shopworkers
Read full coverage here

UK: Retail workers voice safety concerns amid coronavirus pandemic;
32% of UK retail workers have experienced physical abuse during the coronavirus outbreak
 

Fauci says hard-hit states should be 'pausing' the reopening process
The nation's top infectious disease expert, said Thursday that hard-hit states should not be moving forward with reopening, but stopped short of calling for full shutdowns.

"I think any state that is having a serious problem, that state should seriously look at shutting down," he said Wednesday. "It's not for me to say because each state is different." On Thursday, though, he softened his remarks saying, "I would hope we don't have to resort to shutdown." He pointed to California, Arizona, Texas and Florida as accounting for 50 percent of new infections. thehill.com

The #1 Most Germ Infested Spot in Your Store
Are Your Restrooms Ready for the COVID-19 Age?
Specifically, restroom design in retail facilities will have to change in the short and long terms as sanitation and infection control are ramped up to curb virus spread.

No-Touch Fixtures
"Today's touchless hand-washing models incorporate advanced sensing technology for continuous and reliable washing," "Voice command and IoT are other up-and-coming hands-free technologies for restrooms. Automatic door openers typically seen to support accessible design are now also being implemented in locations to prevent hand-surface contact." 91% of Americans believe it's important that public restrooms be equipped with touchless fixtures. "Touchless restrooms are here to stay," he said.

Modified layouts
"A parallel can be drawn between the benefits of a restroom planned to be gender-neutral and planned to address COVID-19 concerns," Kempen observed. "The European model of stalls forming a perimeter around communal washing stations with open circulation may be a layout we see more of in the U.S.This design can help facilitate one-way traffic and minimize cross-traffic."

Improved ventilation - Avoiding wet floors - Antimicrobial finishes and materials - Sink materials and designs progressivegrocer.com

California Hits Record Highs in Both COVID Categories
Yesterday Deaths 149 - 6,723 YTD, Confirmed Cases 8,623 - 292,761 YTD
California is now on pace to double every 24.7 days. The highest toll is among seniors. Roughly 77% of the dead were 65 or older. At least 3,213 were living at a nursing home. California's totals still sit far below New York, where more than 32,200 people have died. latimes.com

Screening for Applicants' COVID-19 Concerns: Can You? Should You?
 

23 People Have Died Since Violence Erupted Following George Floyd's Death
As Crime Continues to Surge in Cities Across America
Many innocent people have been caught in the crosshairs. Following the death of George Floyd, both peaceful protests and violent riots erupted nationally. Violence in cities like Chicago, New York City, and Atlanta has only worsened - in New York City, shootings surged by more than 358% in mid-June compared to the same time in 2019. Similarly, Atlanta had record violence over July 4th weekend.

The violence has continued into July. One person was killed when a car drove into a group of protesters in Seattle. An 8-year-old child was killed near the site of protests in Atlanta by armed individuals manning a makeshift road block. Since the protests, riots, and looting began in late May, 23 people have been killed. dailycaller.com

Gardena, CA: Security Guard Charged With Murder In Shooting Of Market Customer Not Wearing A Mask
A security guard who authorities say shot a man Sunday night outside a Gardena store - after they fought over him not wearing a mask - has been charged with murder. Umeir Hawkins, 38, and his wife, Sabrina Carter, 50, were arrested Monday for murder of Jerry Lewis, 50, of Gardena.

Lewis had tried to enter the market without a mask and started arguing with Hawkins. Lewis left the store, then returned and began physically fighting with Hawkins. As Lewis walked away from the store toward his vehicle, police say Hawkins took out a second firearm and shot Lewis as he was walking away. losangeles.cbslocal.com

Denver on track for deadliest year in a decade after week of violence that killed 8, wounded 10

Violence in St. Louis: 2 dead, 8 wounded in 6 1/2 hours

LAPD investigates whether July 4th spike in sick calls was 'blue flu' protest

In Case You Missed It: Hundreds of July 4th Weekend Shootings Across the U.S. 233 Shootings, 70 Killed, 276 Injured in 30 Cities Studied See the full list compiled by The Daily here.

Senior LP & AP Jobs Market

Director of Loss Prevention position posted for Dick's Sporting Goods in Pittsburgh, PA
This position is responsible for developing the strategies and leading the corporate investigations, supply chain loss prevention, and digital loss prevention functions. This position is highly technical-oriented and data intensive. Dick's has more than 700 stores across the U.S.  dickssportinggoods.jobs

Director Merch Shrink & Analytics position posted for Lowe's in Mooresville, NC
The primary purpose of this role is to reduce shrink (loss of inventory) in all Lowe's facilities. This includes working with merchants on merchandising shrink initiatives such as creating new packing ideas or displays or reducing the loss associated with product location, placement, and displays. Lowe's has more than 1,700 stores across the U.S.

Director of Security and Loss Prevention job posted for Urbn Leaf in San Diego, CA
Urbn Leaf is an innovative retail company recognized for shattering stereotypes and setting new standards within the cannabis industry. They are based in San Diego, Calif. boards.greenhouse.io