CA Governor Will Campaign Against Prop 47 Reform Initiative
Newsom downplays theft part of Prop. 47 initiative, calling it 'drug policy reform'
California Gov. Gavin Newsom this week attacked a ballot measure changing parts of Proposition 47, saying it's more of a "drug policy reform" than an attempt to address retail theft.

His comments at two different press events emphasized the measure's expensive price tag - and may preview a coming opposition campaign against the district attorney-backed initiative, now numbered Proposition 36.

Proposition 36 would increase penalties for some drug and theft crimes by changing portions of Proposition 47. The 2014 voter-approved initiative made some lower-level offenses misdemeanors and set a $950 felony threshold for shoplifting.

Newsom and lawmakers previously tried to get the California District Attorneys Association to remove Proposition 36 from the November ballot. After various legislative maneuvers failed, the governor spent the final days before a month-long legislative recess negotiating an alternative measure to compete with the district attorneys' initiative. But Newsom dropped it the night before lawmakers were to vote on it.

Now, his only options are opposing Proposition 36 and promoting the Legislature's theft and drug package, which lawmakers have been working on most of the year. Newsom said Wednesday he plans to campaign against the district attorneys' ballot measure.

Proposition 36 would also allow prosecutors to charge a theft of $950 or less as a felony for offenders who have two or more previous theft-related convictions, the LAO reports. sacbee.com


Cargo Theft Activity Continues to Remain High - Up 33%
2024 Second Quarter Supply Chain Risk Trends Analysis
July 11, 2024 - CargoNet, a Verisk business and leader in cargo theft prevention and recovery, today released its cargo theft data for the second quarter of 2024, revealing a substantial increase in theft incidents compared to the same period last year.

CargoNet recorded 771 theft incidents in the second quarter of 2024, representing a 33% increase compared to the second quarter of 2023. However, theft activity decreased by 10% from all-time highs established in the first quarter of 2024. CargoNet's analyst team noted slight behavioral shifts in the country's most prolific organized cargo theft groups operating in Southern California. Across the board, these groups evolved to be more discriminating in their shipment targets, stealing high-value freight like motor oil and computer electronics less frequently.

Theft activity was highest in California, Texas, and Illinois. In line with the 10% decrease in activity from the first quarter of 2024, reported activity in the top 5 counties - Los Angeles Co, CA; San Bernardino Co, CA; Riverside Co, CA; Cook Co, IL; and Dallas Co, TX - shrank significantly. However, in most areas, activity remained relatively consistent. For example, while activity in Dallas County decreased, activity in Tarrant County grew significantly due to a surge of thefts around the western edges of Fort Worth, TX.

CargoNet expects cargo theft activity in the third quarter of 2024 to remain elevated. Organized cargo theft rings in Southern California continue to be the most prolific threat, but theft by deception schemes are growing in popularity across the continental United States, particularly targeted pilferage schemes and non-delivery of whole shipments. We anticipate that these methods of cargo theft will continue to increase in popularity.   ajot.com

Global Surge in Retail Violence
Woolworths NZ reports 9% increase in retail violence and aggression

The retail chain also posted a notable growth in physical assaults, growing 50% to 329 incidents against 219 in 2022.

Supermarket chain Woolworths New Zealand has reported a significant rise in assaults in its stores in 2023 compared with 2022. The retailer registered 925 acts of violence and aggression in its stores during the year, increasing 9% from 848 cases in the previous year.

The retail chain also posted a notable growth in physical assaults, growing 50% to 329 incidents against 219 in 2022. The retailer did report a reduction in the use of weapons, with a 22% year-on-year drop.

Woolworths has been proactive in implementing new security measures, investing $45m since 2021 to enhance safety for staff and customers. Initiatives include the introduction of team safety cameras across all 191 stores, trolley lock systems, fog cannons, double-entry gates and anti-sweep shelving.

The company is also considering additional measures such as duress alarms for team members in isolated areas. retail-insight-network.com


Will Ammo Vending Machines Create 'Safer Environment'?
Bread & bullets: Some supermarkets now sell ammo out of vending machines
Adults in some U.S. states can now buy gun ammunition out of AI-powered vending machines right at their local grocery store.

The company that makes them argues it's a safer way to sell ammo than online or off the shelf. But experts have raised concerns about increasing its availability in a country where gun violence is already widespread.

American Rounds LLC currently stocks its "automated ammo retail machines" in eight supermarkets across Alabama, Oklahoma and Texas (at least one was removed earlier this month from an Alabama location, per local news reports). They are launching another this week in Colorado and say many more are on the way.

Magers said the way that ammunition is currently sold - online and on the shelves at gun stores, sporting goods stores and big box retailers - makes it easy for people to steal it and for minors to order it illegally behind a keyboard.

"When we looked at the market, we wanted to create a safer environment for ammunition while still respecting the integrity of the 2A community," he said, referring to the Second Amendment. npr.org


In Case You Missed It: More national retailers drop self-checkout to fight retail theft

North Charleston Police report drop in violent crime rates, spike in business robberies
 

Walmart Expands Next-Gen Tech to Maintain Dominance
Walmart transforms grocery operations with high-tech fulfillment
Walmart Inc. is building, expanding and retrofitting fulfillment centers with next-gen technology capabilities to enhance its grocery supply chain and maintain its grocery dominance.

The discount giant and nation's largest grocer, previously said more than half of its fulfillment centers could be automated by 2026. is outlining a three-pronged strategy to invest in data, intelligent software and automation in an effort to create a more connected and responsive grocery supply chain.

The initiative is focused on the areas of new builds, expansions and retrofits of grocery distribution centers:

• New builds - Walmart is in the middle of building five high-tech perishable distribution centers. The first hub in Shafter, Calif. has been operational since 2021. The second, located in Lancaster, Tex., is ramping operations and will be followed by facilities in Wellford, S.C.; Belvidere, Ill.; and Pilesgrove, N.J. Collectively, Walmart says these facilities will create around 2,000 new jobs.

• Expansions - The retailer is expanding four traditional perishable DCs by adding more than 500,000 square feet of automation per site to increase capacity for fresh product. Walmart will expand facilities in Mankato, Minn.; Mebane, N.C.; Garrett, Ind.; and Shelbyville, Tenn.

• Retrofits - The Walmart perishable distribution center in Winter Haven, Fla. is getting upgraded, as the retailer integrates advanced technology into the facility with the goal of learning more about the feasibility and requirements of retrofitting an existing grocery building with automation technology. chainstoreage.com

   RELATED: What Impact Will Walmart's New Tech Have on the Grocery Industry?


Preparation, Not Panic is Key to OSHA Inspections
Surprise! OSHA's here (but don't panic).

OSHA might catch you off guard, but you can keep your cool. Most importantly, you can be prepared, polite and firm.

Knock, knock. You have an unexpected-and perhaps unwelcome-visitor at your door. It's an OSHA inspector with a clipboard, though it might as well be a scythe. It's moments like these where practice and training pays off, says Pete Flatten, director of national safety for Tuff Shed, a vertically integrated manufacturer of garages and storage buildings.

Being unprepared can easily lead to panic, regardless of the situation. As a normal part of business, most managers prepare for a variety of potential business scenarios, and an OSHA visit needs to be one of those things!

One of the best steps you can take to prepare is to have a consultant come and do an inspection. Your insurance company will probably provide one at low to no cost, and OSHA may offer a consultive service to come out and do an inspection, during which you won't be cited for any findings.

Also, make sure your employees are comfortable telling you about safety issues in their work environment. If they aren't, issues will go unaddressed, and this will be evident during the inspection. Finally, know it's OK not to be perfect! However, you should not have anything to hide. If that is the case, you should feel good about whatever comes next.

OK, OSHA's here. What should I do first, second and third? ehstoday.com


Retailer Faces Backlash After 'Woke' Backtrack
Tractor Supply may have thought it solved a big problem. Now it has a few more.

The retailer retreated from its diversity and climate goals after an "anti-woke" protest on social media - and ignited a backlash.

Amid a three-week firestorm on social media against policies like diversity and climate initiatives, Tractor Supply issued a lengthy statement abandoning them. At the end of June, the retailer said it will eliminate all diversity, equity and inclusion roles, withdraw its carbon emissions goals and end support for Pride events and voting.

Now the retailer's move has incited a backlash.

The company cited customer feedback for its action, though activist Robby Starbuck, who had stoked the online protest against Tractor Supply for "going woke," has taken credit for the outcome. While Starbuck's followers may have perceived Tractor Supply's inclusivity and sustainability measures as problematic, other customers view its retraction that way. retaildive.com


Study: Consumers split on when to start holiday shopping
Nearly half (44%) of consumers plan to start shopping for the holidays in October or earlier, down from 47% in 2023, while 31% of parents, more likely than other consumer groups, do most of their shopping in October or earlier

Is the Saks Acquisition of Neiman Marcus a Good Move?

Costco to raise membership fee for the first time since 2017
 

Retail Becoming Top Target for Cyberattacks
Fashion retail 'prime target' for cyberattacks as data breaches rise
Valuable data held by fashion retailers has attracted a record number of cyberattacks in the industry.

According to the Identity Theft Resource Centre, 2023 saw a 72% increase in data breaches compared to 2021, which previously had the highest number of recorded incidences. This amounted to 3,122 breaches in total with almost 350m victims.

Each data breach cost an average of $4.45m in 2023, according to IBM, bringing the estimated cost of data breaches over the year to $13.89bn.

Retail is becoming increasingly digitalised, with technology now integrated into operations across the value chain, from manufacturing processes to point of sale (POS) systems. While digital solutions often streamline retail processes, they also present security risks, and cyberattacks - which often result in data breaches becoming increasingly common.

The fashion sector is particularly vulnerable, as retailers there hold a trove of personal and financial information about customers. In December 2023, VF Corporation (which owns Timberland, Dickie, North Face, Vans and more) suffered an attack that saw the personal identifiable information (PII) of 35.5m customers compromised. finance.yahoo.com


CEOs Must Integrate Cybersecurity Into Business Strategy
What does your CEO need to know about cybersecurity?

CEOs don't necessarily have to become experts in the technical aspects of cybersecurity to be prepared in case of an attack or - hopefully - stop one before it starts.

The role of the CEO hasn't exactly changed when it comes to cybersecurity, but the CEO's perception of risk and level of engagement has, said Trevor Horwitz, CISO and founder of Trustnet.

Ten years ago, cybersecurity was seen as an IT and compliance issue, Horwitz said. "If there was a breach, the impact wasn't seen as significant, and the CEO's role was primarily to make high-level decisions during the incident."

The difference now is the potential threat to business operations and reputations, he said. "CEOs are tasked with integrating cybersecurity into the overall business strategy and aligning cybersecurity with business goals."

Old excuses aren't going to cut it anymore either, Dunn added. Such breaches could have potential ramifications beyond Congress compelling company officials to testify.

CEOs are also beholden to the SEC, said Gartner Distinguished VP Analyst Katell Thielemann, meaning they are responsible to shareholders or, in the case that the company they oversee is part of critical infrastructure, the country.

"The government is telling me 'I'm sorry' is not good enough," Thielemann said. "The national security and economic prosperity implications of critical infrastructure going down is not something we're willing to take anymore." cybersecuritydive.com


Cybersecurity Pressure Campaign 'Falling Flat'
Unsafe software development practices persist, despite CISA's push

The industry isn't making sufficient progress in cleaning up code despite recurring efforts from the agency to eliminate entire classes of vulnerabilities.

Federal cyber authorities say it's time for software vendors to "class up the joint" by eliminating entire classes of defects, coding errors and vulnerabilities from their products.

Software defects are a recurring problem the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency highlights when authorities determine vendors could have prevented attacks by fixing these errors from the outset.

"What's especially noteworthy is that for most of these classes of defect, we have known of ways to prevent them at scale for years, and even decades," CISA Senior Technical Advisors Bob Lord and Jack Cable, and Senior Advisor Lauren Zabierek said Monday in a blog post.

The pressure CISA is putting on software vendors to fix these mistakes in the software development process is broad and consistent with the agency's effort to shift the burden of security responsibility from customers to vendors.

But some cybersecurity experts expect the public pressure campaign to fall flat. cybersecuritydive.com


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