Fighting Theft Inside & Out
Combating Theft: Solutions For Retail Leaders

A look at loss prevention strategies for retail facilities, and how each can help facility managers combat retail theft.

According to a report from Statista, 13% of small business owners in the U.S. said they experienced retail theft every single day in 2023. The data is unclear on exactly what's driving the trend or why the rate is rising, but preventing these instances is top of mind for leaders in the retail space.

Facility leaders need to understand the different types of loss prevention strategies: Visible deterrents and security make potential theft seem less appealing or achievable; exterior solutions make it difficult to enter the store after hours; and interior solutions make it difficult to obtain product without purchasing it. Here are a few examples of each type of solution and how they can help combat retail theft in your locations.

Visible Deterrents

Potential thieves are much less likely to try to swipe product if they don't think they can get away with it. This could be as straightforward as installing cameras and reminding customers that they are being recorded. Having an attentive staff goes a long way with customers, but it also reminds potential thieves that there is someone likely to notice any shady behaviors. When these strategies alone aren't enough, consider hiring a security guard to watch the store and ensure things are running smoothly.

Exterior Solutions

Security film can help prevent a forced entry on glass storefronts; provides deterrence to smash and grab perpetrators; and gives the facilities team precious time to react. It also requires no maintenance after initial installation, and is available in varying defense levels to stop anything from small vandalism to ballistics. Rolling shutters can protect storefronts, retail service counters, kiosks, or concession areas against break-ins, theft and vandalism. Entry point rolling grilles can protect exterior and interior openings in nearly every type of store.

Automatic door deadbolts not only keep doors closed, but they can defend against blunt strikes and can be fitted to a variety of doors. There are also options for emergency exit doors that bolt a full inch into the door frame and are not visible from the exterior.

Interior Solutions

Utilizing acrylic locking cases can ensure small, high-value merchandise is handled by the facility's team before getting into a thief's hands, making it less likely the theft would try to leave with the item. Drawer and hook locks are other options that require staff assistance when picking out an item, but don't impact the look of displays as much.  facilityexecutive.com


The Battle Over California's New Anti-Theft Self-Checkout Bill
California bill proposes new rules for self checkout at stores
The Retail Theft Prevention and Safe Staffing Act, also known as SB 1446, is designed to decrease retail theft by increasing the number of workers in self-checkout areas, said Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, D-Los Angeles, the bill's author. She also said the improved monitoring will make stores safer. The Senate passed the bill in May and it's being considered by the Assembly.

Under the legislation, grocery stores and retail drug stores could assign each worker to watch no more than two self-checkout stations. The bill also would add requirements on the number of items per checkout, and also what could be checked out at a self-serve station.

The bill would require stores to notify workers if new technology will eliminate, automate or electronically monitor their jobs. Each day of violations would cost stores $100 under the bill.

Labor supports self-checkout bill

The legislation has been endorsed by the United Food and Commercial Workers Western States Council and the California Federation of Labor Unions, AFL-CIO. Both organizations say it will protect good jobs, keep stores safe and reduced organized theft.

Opponents include Chamber of Commerce, grocer and retailers groups

The legislation has faced opposition from the California Grocers Association, the California Retailers Association and the California Chamber of Commerce. They say SB 1446 wouldn't protect employees and customers.

The grocers association urges consumers to oppose the bill, noting it would limit the number of items to 15. It said it would actually increase theft because of its restriction against self-checkout purchases of locked items such as razors.

The legislation would raise costs for stores by at least $497.1 million annually, according to the California Chamber of Commerce. It cited an California Foundation for Commerce and Education analysis that said the bill would mean hiring more than 10,000 additional cashiers.

Concessions made to opponents: vcstar.com


New Study Finds Washington Top State for Retail Theft 
New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon and Oklahoma rounded out the top five

These States Have the Highest Retail Theft in the US
Retailers in the U.S. lost an estimated $121.6 billion to retail theft in 2023, and this number is expected to rise, reaching $150 billion by 2026. But which states have the highest retail theft?

A new study conducted by researchers at Storeganise analyzed the latest crime data in the US to determine which states experience the most retail theft. Looking at incidents like burglaries in places including convenience stores, department stores, shopping malls, specialty stores, liquor stores, and gas stations, the data was then calculated per 100,000 businesses to create a final ranking.

Texas took sixth place among all 50 states, with 1,771.59 retail theft cases per 100,000 businesses.

Washington took the top spot, with 3510.66 retail theft cases per 100,000, while New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon and Oklahoma rounded out the top five.

On the other end of the spectrum, Florida has the lowest rate of reported retail theft in the US, followed by New York and New Hampshire.

"Businesses across the country are facing increasing challenges from burglaries," said Miles Davison, spokesperson for Storeganise. "It's crucial to support business owners and ensure their safety, as well as the safety of their employees. In Florida, shoplifting incidents have reportedly dropped by 30% since 2019, which might be reflected on this study. This unexpected trend is a positive sign for businesses in the state but it doesn't mean the state is entirely safe. Despite the decrease in shoplifting, other forms of property crime, such as burglaries and thefts, may still be on the rise. It's important for businesses to remain vigilant and implement effective security measures."  cw33.com


More Coverage of Portland's Decision to Disband Property Crimes Unit
Portland Police Bureau dissolves Property Crimes Unit, retail theft missions continue
The Portland Police Bureau is dissolving its Property Crimes Unit while promising to still investigate property crimes. KOIN 6 New first reported the decision on Aug. 26. According to the report, Police Chief Bob Day made the decision for understaffing reasons.

The three detectives who currently make up the unit will be reassigned to the Special Victims Unit and the Sex Crimes Unit. A sergeant previously with PCU will be added to patrol, wherever needed.

"This comes as City of Portland data shows a drop in reported robberies and aggravated assaults in the first half of the year compared to last year. However, the number of rape cases has remained roughly the same. The Portland Police Bureau also reported that "person crimes," like those linked to domestic violence, have only gone down by about 1%," KOIN 6 News reported.

The story broke about three weeks after the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission notified PPB that it will be receiving $474,244 through the Organized Retail Theft Grant Program. The funds will allow PPB to continue working directly with retail partners to identify, apprehend and prosecute offenders. After a retail theft mission, officers conduct a follow-up and work with the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office to achieve convictions. portlandtribune.com


Ground Zero of the 'Defund the Police' Movement Dealing with Surging Crime
Minneapolis business owners face 'almost impossible' challenges including crime, regulations

MN reportedly ranks 46th in the nation for GDP and 47th for job creation

In the town that pioneered the movement to defund the police, the homeless population is present on most city blocks. Open-air drug use is so common it doesn't attract attention and petty crime plagues the businesses who were able to re-open.

As a result, Drilling says, the suburban population which used to push his business from surviving to thriving does not come downtown anymore. "I think they feel like they are unsafe in the city, in this area and in the [other] areas. They're a little scared to come down here," says Drilling. Criminals make every aspect of business difficult in downtown Minneapolis. foxnews.com


New scholarship honors Dollar General mass shooting victim & his cybersecurity dream

Ohio 3rd out of 50 states for unsolved violent crimes in 2022, report says
 

Beware of Online Counterfeits
The Truth Behind Counterfeits

Fake goods can lead to real dangers, and unfortunately, the dangers of buying counterfeit products aren't always obvious. When shopping, it is important to recognize the impacts and implications of purchasing goods that violate Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) as it relates to:

Reno, NV: Three arrested for allegedly fencing stolen goods out of Reno taco shop
Authorities arrested three Wednesday on suspicion they fenced stolen property out of a Reno restaurant and sent it to Mexico. The victims included JCPenney, Home Depot, TJX Companies (including TJ Maxx and Marshalls), Lowes and Target. The Regional Crime Suppression Unit announced the arrests of Jose Manuel Martinez-Aguilar, 52, Epifanio Ortiz-Dimas, 49, and Maria Manuela Dimas-Aguilar, 23. The arrests came after a three-month investigation. The RCSU said people stole items from businesses and took them to the Roberto's Taco Shop at 4455 S. Virginia St. where employees there bought the stolen items at a huge discount. The stolen goods were taken to a home on North Escondido Court in southeast Reno and then sent to Mexico. RCSU served search warrants Wednesday at Roberto's Taco Shop and at the home, and recovered thousands of dollars worth of stolen merchandise and evidence, it said in a statement. No one answered the telephone at that Roberto's Taco Shop on Wednesday to respond to the allegations. A person who answered the telephone at the Roberto's Taco Shop corporate office said he had no comment. "JC Penney's, Home Depot and TJX Companies donated nearly $4,000 worth of merchandise and the assistance of Loss Prevention personnel in order to assist in the success of this operation," RCSU said in a statement.  kolotv.com


Harrisburg, PA: Five suspects charged in large-scale Organized Retail Theft
Charges were filed against five suspects involved in a significant organized retail theft operation that targeted store across nine counties. Marlin Polanco, 19, Malik McDonald, 20, Cartier Hardy, 20, Homario Oldacre, 20, and Lorenzo Walters, 20, were charged in Dauphin County with corrupt organizations, organized retail theft, and related crimes, according to a release from Attorney General Michelle Henry's office. Between Feb. 28 and May 30, the group allegedly stole over-the-counter medications and other health and beauty products from major retailers including Giant, Weis Markets, and Wegmans in 40 documented incidents across nine counties including Cumberland, Dauphin, York, Lancaster, Union, Lehigh, Berks, Chester, and Northumberland, according to the release. The total value of stolen goods is estimated to be worth more than $71,000.  northcentralpa.com


Chicago, IL: Stolen SUV smashes into Park Ridge sneaker store, suspects rob goods
A group of thieves used an SUV as a battering ram to break into a store in downtown Park Ridge, follow two other recent but unsuccessful attempts to break in. The store has a security gate, but it was no match for a speeding vehicle. The thieves made off with shoes and other merchandise from HQ Sneakers and Streetwear, which is nestled on a retail and residential stretch of Northwest Highway. "It's a shame, honestly. Coming here, you know, it's always great vibes, great positive energy," said customer Adam Dabookali. Dabookali is friends with the owner, who did not want to speak on camera. "It's not something that happens every day, you know, compared to the city," he said. The break-in happened just after 4 a.m. After crashing through a security gate with a Jeep SUV, more thieves arrived in a white Dodge Durango. The offenders were in and out of the store quickly, swiping goods and targeting the cash register. They left the Jeep, which was stolen, in the store and made their getaway in the Durango parked outside.  abc7chicago.com


Theft at Antioch Target store ends with 3 of 4 suspects arrested in Brentwood
Antioch Officers were dispatched to Target on Lone Tree Way for a reported theft. When a Target employee tried to intervene, one of the suspects rammed the employee with a shopping cart and threatened them, turning this simple theft into a robbery. Three suspects-one male and two females-fled the scene in a vehicle with the stolen merchandise. Thanks to quick coordination with the Brentwood Police Department, the suspect vehicle was located at a Safeway in Brentwood, where another robbery had just occurred. Working with the victims in this case, three of the four suspects were positively identified, and the stolen property was returned to Target. The suspects were booked at Martinez Detention Facility for robbery.  antiochherald.com


Brentwood, TN: $42K in exclusive sports cards stolen from Brentwood store
A Brentwood businessman is still picking up the pieces after two men reportedly smashed their way into his sports memorabilia store and got away with hundreds of expensive collectible cards. According to the Brentwood Police Department, the suspects got away with hundreds of exclusive sports cards and other memorabilia valued at more than $40,000. Authorities showed News 2 surveillance footage of the break-in that took place just before 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 20 at Dad's Dugout on Church Street.  wkrn.com


Colma, CA: Suspected thief found with anti-theft magnet key in Colma; $700 in merchandise recovered