Retail Crime Legislation Gains Momentum in D.C.
NRF's National 'Fight Retail Crime Day' - By the Numbers

NRF's National Fight Retail Crime Day was an outstanding success!

Here are the numbers:

● Our grassroots network sent almost 800 letters to 215 members of Congress in just one day.
● We recognized nearly 100 lawmakers who have already signed on to support the 2 pieces of legislation.
● Over 20 lawmakers shared their commitment on their social media channels.

It's never too late to get involved. Help us keep up the momentum by clicking here.

NRF's priorities include:

• INFORM Consumers Act (S.936/H.R. 5502): Requires online marketplaces to verify the identity of high-volume third-party sellers to help curb the sale of stolen and counterfeit merchandise. NRF supports inclusion of the INFORM Act in the pending Senate National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) manager's amendment.

• Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act (S.5046/H.R. 9177): Establishes a new Organized Retail Crime Coordination Center that will help federal, state and local law enforcements agencies better coordinate to effectively combat criminal activities. Recently introduced in both chambers of Congress, NRF is advocating for additional cosponsors.

We invite you to share this information widely with your colleagues and networks. Every voice counts.

Workplaces Becoming Hotbeds of Violence
18,000 Workplace Fatalities Since 1992 - 500+ Mass Shootings So Far in 2022

Taking Steps to Prevent Workplace Violence

Employers need to be wary of new laws and regulations that limit what they can do.

In both fact and perception, the United States has become a much more dangerous place to live and work than it was just a handful of years ago. The danger extends beyond the street to the workplace as well, and how to protect your workforce is a question almost all employers have to ask themselves in the current environment.

From 1992-2019, workplace violence has killed almost 18,000 people, according to a recent study conducted by NIOSH, the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (which includes incidents that occurred outside the workplace but stemmed from work-related issues.)

While this is not a new problem, the current situation does represent a renewed challenge to employers because it has arisen following the widespread deterioration of mental and emotional health because of the COVID-19 lockdowns, and now heightened emotions erupting over political differences.

As of mid-September, there had been 508 mass shootings in the United States this year, resulting in 545 fatalities and 2,089 wounded. Murder rates in a number of cities have hit record levels, as have the incidents of assault and injuries resulting from street violence. It is not surprising that the soaring rise in the crime rate has risen to the level of a top public concern and campaign issue.

Many of these shootings involved workplace violence, observes attorney Paige S. Newman of the Akerman law firm. She says the rise in workplace violence, and violence in general, should prompt employers to consider what they can and should do to protect their employees, customers and business. "It is especially important to do so now, as more and more employers are requiring their employees to return to work in person following the pandemic," Newman stresses.

Given the high visibility of mass shootings over the past year, it is important to make sure that employees know what to do if such a situation arises in the workplace. Employees should be trained on how to respond to events involving violence, including the locations of emergency exits, how to lead others off the premises in emergency situations, and how to report any suspicious behavior. ehstoday.com

Pennsylvania & Washington Have Highest Per Capita Rate of Retail Theft
Lawmaker Highlights Spike in Retail Crime in Washington as Concern, Calls on Legislature to Address Issue

The state government needs to take action on retail crime, State Sen. Mark Schoesler, R-Ritzville, argued in a news release this week.

"While we've seen a spike in many areas of crime, retail theft and other retail crimes are especially a problem," Schoesler said. "Retail crimes hurt not only stores and shops, but also consumers because these crimes force retailers to raise prices. The Legislature, the governor and the attorney general need to take action to greatly reduce retail crime in Washington."

The value of items stolen from stores more than doubled in Washington state from 2019 to 2020 and the Washington Retail Association estimates organized crime groups stole $2.7 billion from retailers in 2021.

Washington also has the second highest per capita rate of retail theft of any state in the country after Pennsylvania. Last year, 23,323 cases of shoplifting were reported in Washington state in 2021. Seattle also ranked eighth among large cities for retail crime in 2021.

Schoesler says retailers have seen an increase of theft and fraud on their property as organized retail theft rings have become more "brazen, violent and sophisticated in targeting stores." He believes these organized crime groups are putting customers and store employees in danger and are involved in other crimes such as human trafficking, money laundering and narcotics.

Schoesler sits on the Senate Labor, Commerce and Tribal Affairs Committee, which held a work session on retail crime last week. According to Schoesler, the work session is a sign organized retail crime has come on the Legislature's radar, but added the issue still needs to be made a high priority for when the legislative session starts in January. chronline.com

SF's New Tough-on-Crime DA Meets with Walgreens & Westfield Mall
After losing opioid lawsuit, Walgreens pushes San Francisco to address crime
Walgreens has thousands of stores across the country, yet in San Francisco the massive Illinois-based pharmacy store chain has become a symbol of The City's social strife.

As Walgreens unsuccessfully defended itself from The City's accusations that it played a key role in creating the opioid crisis roiling San Francisco, it has simultaneously pushed city officials to address the increase in crime in its stores.

New San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins has taken meetings with executives from Walgreens and the operators of Westfield Mall, who are pushing her office to rein in retail crime, in recent weeks. The District Attorney's Office says the meetings are a reflection of her commitment "to addressing crime and retail theft."

"She specifically met with Walgreens and Westfield about how their on-site security staff and store employees can coordinate with the District Attorney's Office and San Francisco Police to address organized retail theft rings and retail theft broadly," DA spokesperson Randy Quezada wrote in an email.

"Organized retail crime continues to be a challenge facing retailers across San Francisco. Part of our efforts to combat it includes regular conversations on topics of mutual interest with members of the San Francisco Police Department, the office of the Mayor, Supervisors, and the District Attorney," Kris Lathan, a company spokesperson, wrote in an email to The Examiner.

Police reports of shoplifting in San Francisco have increased sharply this year, according to San Francisco Police Department data. Across the four different levels of shoplifting recorded in police data, there were 2,346 reports made this year through Sept. 30. That's a 35.6% increase over 2021. themoorecountynews.com
 
NYC Grand Larcenies Up 40% from 2021
Robberies & Burglaries are Up 33% & 30%, Respectively

NYC Safety Tracker: New online tool tracks crime in your neighborhood
Eyewitness News has created an exclusive new tool that you can use to track which crimes are happening in your neighborhood on a weekly basis. It's called the Neighborhood Safety Tracker.

There's a drop down menu on the website that will tell you how many homicides, burglaries, assaults, auto thefts, grand larcenies, sexual assaults and robberies are happening.

Grand larcenies so far this year are trending up 39.9% compared to the same time period in 2021. However, the larceny rate over the last 12 months is up when compared to the annual average over the last three years. The city is averaging 1016 larcenies a week over the last 12 months. In 2019, that number was 832 a week.

Robberies so far this year are trending up 33.3% compared to the same time period in 2021. However, the robbery rate over the last 12 months is up when compared to the annual average over the last three years, and the frequency of robberies remains higher than it was before the pandemic. The city is averaging 334 robberies a week over the last 12 months. In 2019, that number was 257 a week.

Burglaries so far this year are trending up 29.9% compared to the same time period in 2021. However, the burglary rate over the last 12 months is up when compared to the annual average over the last three years. The city is averaging 303 burglaries a week over the last 12 months. In 2019, that number was 207 a week.

Homicides so far this year are trending down 14.3% compared to the same time period in 2021. However, the murder rate over the last 12 months is about the same when compared to the annual average over the last three years, and the frequency of killings remains higher than it was before the pandemic. The city is averaging 8 homicides a week over the last 12 months. In 2019, that number was 6 a week.  abc7ny.com

UK's Retail Crime Surge Continues
Retail crime expected to worsen in coming months
Retail crime levels are expected to significantly worsen in the coming months as the cost-of-living crisis continues to impact households in the Humberside Police force area. According to figures issued by the force the rate of these types of crime increased after shops re-opened after the pandemic. Now, they are expected to rise again as the festive season approaches.

This comes as Humberside Police launches it's new initiative to fight retail crime and keep shop workers safe.

Superintendent Paul French said: "As we now approach the sort of challenges associated with cost of living, it's absolutely essential that we work, side by side with our businesses and retailers collectively to reduce risk of these type of offenses.

"But also, to hold to account those responsible, while providing a range of support to address underlying root causes that might be contributing to those crimes taking place."  gi-media.co.uk

San Francisco Crime Out of Control
Intruder breaks into Nancy Pelosi's home, attacks husband Paul with hammer

Bellevue police continue crackdown on retail theft

Gun reform on the ballot in OR after string of devastating mass shootings

35,000-Foot View of Potential Kroger-Albertsons Merger
Kroger-Albertsons merger: Looking at the numbers

Some stats that quantify the mega-merger's potential impact

The Kroger-Albertsons merger deal would combine the first- and second-largest U.S. supermarket operators into one, mammoth grocery retailer. As regulators get under way with the review process, industry observers are sizing up the potential market impact.

Together, The Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos. would form a national company with 4,996 stores, 66 distribution centers, 52 manufacturing plants, 2,015 fuel centers and more than 710,000 associates across 48 states and the District of Columbia. The merged entity also would be the fifth-largest retail pharmacy operator by locations, with 3,972 pharmacies.

Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. operates food and drug stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia. Based on fiscal 2021 data, Kroger and Albertsons combined generated about $210 billion in revenue, $3.3 billion in net earnings and $11.6 billion of adjusted EBITDA.

Market share view

Consumer data specialist Numerator said Thursday that, by acquiring Albertsons, Kroger would reach two in three U.S. shoppers. Currently, Kroger captures nearly 65 million shoppers, yet post-acquisition its shopper base would jump by more than 21 million households.

The combination also would give Kroger a more national presence, since Albertsons has a heavy presence in the West (12.5% CPG market share through September), the Mountain region (10.4% share) and New England (7% share), according to Numerator data. In any event, Kroger-Albertsons would become the second-largest grocery retailer behind Walmart. supermarketnews.com
 
Retail's Self-Checkout Explosion
Zebra Technologies Report: Nearly half of retailers are converting cash registers to self-checkouts
Indicating a shift away from cashiers, a Zebra Technologies survey of 4,200 international respondents found that 82% of retail decision-makers are planning to invest more in technology over the next three years. Almost half (45%) said they are converting more cash register space to self-checkout space, and 43% are clearing space for contactless checkout kiosks.

According to the report, less than half of shoppers use self-checkouts. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of shoppers said they prefer contactless payment options and the ability to check out anywhere in the store. Eighty-three percent of retail employees said self-checkout kiosks allow them to do higher-priority tasks and better serve customers.

Retailers have increasingly adopted self-checkout technology in recent years, but implementing these tools properly is critical. Zebra Technologies, which itself sells retail technologies like mobile computers, noted that self-checkout and mobile checkout options provide customers with speed and convenience and enable store associates to help other customers on the sales floor.

The Zebra Technologies survey suggests that retailers are leaning into self-checkout stations. A June RBR report estimated that shipments from self-checkout technology providers will grow to more than 300,000 by 2027. retaildive.com

AI Cashlierless Checkout: The Future of C-Stores?
Convenience-store retailer Choice Market debuts AI-powered store
Choice Market has unveiled a new format. The Denver-based retailer has opened a location in its new, small-sized (less than 2,000 sq. ft.) "mini-mart" format at The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Denver. Open round the clock, 365 days per year, the new Choice leverages artificial intelligence and vision systems to checkout customers without a cashier.

Similar to Choice's other three locations, the shopping experience at the new store is powered by "Choice Now," a frictionless shopping technology that allows customers to enter their payment information on the Choice app, select their purchases and just walk out. As its first mini-mart, however, the Anschutz store is the first Choice to operate without a cashier be open 24 hours a day.

AI-powered ceiling cameras determine what customers have purchased and automatically send an e-receipt to their phone. The app also provides access to the Choice Rewards Program. The company plans to include the technology in all future stores. Two more Denver locations are opening soon, with expansion beyond Denver planned for 2023. chainstoreage.com
 
Retailers & Other Businesses Urge Biden to Help Avert Rail Shutdown
300 business groups call on Biden to intervene in rail unions contract vote
Three hundred business groups are calling on President Joe Biden to intervene in the ratification of the national tentative agreement he helped broker last month between rail unions and US freight railroads.

In a letter sent to the president Thursday, retail, agricultural, manufacturing, and trucking associations jointly asked the president to ensure that the tentative agreement is ratified. The groups include American Trucking Associations, the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers, and the National Retail Federation.

"It is paramount that these contracts now be ratified, as a rail shutdown would have a significant impact on the US economy and lead to further inflationary pressure," the letter states.

The groups believe the President's intervention could push the unions to vote for ratification, just as he emphasized the need to come to an agreement last month to avoid a nationwide US freight rail strike that would have brought the US supply chain and economy to a grinding halt. cnn.com

N.Y.C. Job Seekers Can No Longer Be Kept in the Dark
A new city law going into effect on Tuesday will require companies with at least four employees to post salary ranges for openings, even if the jobs involve remote or hybrid work.

From 'labor hoarding' to layoffs: Get ready for a brutal U-turn in the job market

The Backroom Podcast: Retail bankruptcies are poised for a comeback

Forrester: Five retail predictions for 2023
 

Cybercriminals Actively Targeting Supply Chains
Why Cybersecurity Has Never Been More Important for the Supply Chain Sector
Many factors have come together to increase the likelihood of a cyberattack on your supply chain. As the number of attack vectors has risen dramatically, cyber criminals, belligerent governments, and other threat actors have been targeting supply chains more actively. These cyber threats are becoming more severe when supply chains are already in crisis — a May 2022 report published by Accenture found that supply chain disruptions have led to a loss of €112 billion (0.9 percent of GDP) in the eurozone alone.

Worse, the sweeping digital transformation that's giving the supply chain sector the tools to deal better with a disruptive norm is providing cybercriminals with ever-increasing opportunities to infiltrate companies. This is why supply chain cybersecurity platforms have to keep up with evolving cyberthreats and ensure that all attack vectors are covered at all times. There's no better resource for building this type of resilience than a cyber-aware workforce, including every employee.

Cybersecurity is necessary for supply chain resilience

According to a McKinsey survey of supply chain executives, 93 percent say they're taking steps to make their supply chains more resilient. And yet, Gartner reports that just 21 percent of supply chain leaders believe their networks are "highly resilient."

Companies can improve this status quo by ensuring that every link of the supply chain is protected from cyber threats, which means implementing a comprehensive cybersecurity awareness solution across the company — and working with partners to do the same.

Supply chains face more cyber risks than ever

A recent report from NCC Group found that supply chain cyberattacks increased by 51 percent between July and December 2021, while less than a third of cybersecurity decision-makers said they were "very confident" that they could respond to one of these attacks quickly and effectively. Respondents said they were planning to increase their cybersecurity budgets by an average of 10 percent in 2022.   supplychainbrain.com

Ransomware Attacks Dropped 31%
Ransomware down this year – but there's a catch

2021 was such a banner year for extortionists, 2022 is gonna look rosy in comparison

The number of ransomware attacks worldwide dropped 31 percent year-over-year during the first nine of months 2022, at least as far as SonicWall has observed. But don't get too excited.

While that may sound like great news, there's a catch. According to SonicWall CEO Robert VanKirk, the decline follows a record-setting spike in 2021. Without that outlier, the ransomware rate this year shows a steady increase over 2017 through 2020. In fact, the nine-month total of 338.4 million ransomware attempts this year is more than the full-year totals in every year except 2021.

"Ransomware attacks have been trending up for five-plus years, and this year is continuing that trend, except as compared to the uniquely high spikes we saw in 2021," VanKirk said in an email interview with The Register.

The latest figures highlight what SonicWall is calling an "unstable cyberthreat landscape" of expanding attack surfaces, shifting battlefronts, growing numbers of threats, and the tense geopolitical environment that is feeding all of it.

He also pointed to significant jumps in cryptojacking (up 35 percent) and Internet of Things (IoT) attacks (92 percent).

Much of the focus in cyber security is on ransomware, which in recent years has branched out to include ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) and increasingly data extortion. It also has the attention of enterprise executives. About 91 percent of the customers SonicWall surveyed said they are most concerned about ransomware.

It makes sense. Cisco's Talos threat intelligence group today published third-quarter numbers that showed ransomware and pre-ransomware engagements were the top threats, accounting for about 40 percent of a list that included business email compromise (BEC), phishing, and commodity malware.
theregister.com

In Case You Missed It: Retail Cybersecurity Strategies from Interface Systems
Interface Systems Shares Best Practices with Retailers for Cybersecurity Month

Company highlights prevention strategies for securing POS, cloud-based applications, and mitigating loyalty program fraud

St. Louis, MO (October 4, 2022) - As retailers integrate their digital and physical shopping experiences to future-proof their business models, it's never been more important to be aware of the cybersecurity vulnerabilities that can be created by digital transformation. As cybersecurity awareness month becomes a focus of discussion in October, Interface Systems, a leading managed service provider delivering business security, managed network, UCaaS, and business intelligence solutions to distributed enterprises, shares best practices on how to prevent retail cyber-attacks and mitigate fraud.

Retail chains face a variety of security challenges, from connected POS (Point of sale) systems and devices to online ordering and delivery applications. Retailers' data lakes, which combine their customers' data with credit card information, make them particularly attractive targets for cybercriminals. The consequences of security lapses go beyond legal issues and often result in significant financial loss as customers lose confidence in the brand.

Read more strategies from Interface Systems here

7 Hidden Social Media Cyber-Risks for Enterprises
Leaning on social media to amplify your company's brand? Here's a look at the emerging cybersecurity risks that can arise from TikTok, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other platforms.

Elon Musk closes Twitter deal and fires top executives

CISA announces cybersecurity performance goals for critical infrastructure

Auburn, WA: Washington couple brought children along to allegedly steal $15K of beauty products
A husband and wife allegedly stole beauty products worth more than $15,000 from a Marysville, Washington, store with their two children, police say. According to a news release from the Marysville Police Department, on Oct. 20, a husband and wife entered an Ulta store with their two children. The couple allegedly stole about 400 beauty products that were worth about $15,500. MPD said the couple and their children fled the store and the area in their white Toyota minivan. According to KIRO, an employee called the Lynnwood, Washington, Ulta store to warn employees that the couple was possibly heading their way next. Roughly 90 minutes later, the same couple walked into the Lynnwood Ulta. The employees called the police and asked the couple to leave. According to MPD, the Lynnwood Police Department was able to find the suspect's vehicle quickly. Officers took them into custody for first-degree theft. A search of the van was done and officers recovered a large number of beauty products as well as $2,200 in cash, according to KIRO. Ulta loss prevention officials told MPD detectives that this couple had stolen about $22,000 of items in nine Ulta stores in multiple states. fox13memphis.com

Gig Harbor, WA: Police Blotter: $18K in merchandise taken during burglary
Three people made off with more than $18,500 worth of merchandise after a burglary at a store on Hunt Street early on the morning of Oct. 22. Store surveillance footage showed three suspects using a "grinder of sorts to cut the lock" on an exterior door, according to a Gig Harbor Police report. Footage shows the suspects running through the store, dumping merchandise into two utility carts, which they had earlier cut free from a security device outside. Police responded when an audible burglary alarm sounded. Stolen merchandise included tools, sunglasses, clothing, pet beds, pet food, garden tools and Yeti-brand products. gigharbornow.org

Portland, OR: We witnessed shoplifting at Nike, Home Depot and Target, and nobody stopped it
It's 3:55 on a Thursday afternoon in the Mall 205 parking lot. I'm watching through the front windshield of our white Ford Explorer as unsuspecting shoppers zip in and out of the Target store and nearby Home Depot. The shopping mall, located near Interstate 205 in Southeast Portland, attracts a mix of construction workers, everyday shoppers and homeless people from nearby encampments.

I'm on the lookout. I want to find out how easy it is for shoplifters to steal in Portland and then see what happens to all that stolen merchandise. Police, prosecutors, retailers, private security and neighbors complain shoplifting or organized retail crime is a citywide epidemic — largely fueled by drug addiction. Criminals are literally stealing merchandise off store shelves and walking out the front door with little or no fear of being arrested or prosecuted.

"It is at a crisis level," explained Jeremy Girard of the Oregon Retail Crime Association. Girard estimates some of the hardest hit stores in the Portland-area are losing between $1 million to $5 million annually to theft. Retailers across the city have been forced to hire private security guards, lock down valuable items, change store layout, reduce hours or simply close their doors.

The Nike Community Store in Northeast Portland was closed intermittently throughout September and October reportedly because of widespread theft. Nike wouldn't share details. "Stores are not going to be able to sustain for the long haul if organized retail crime continues to get worse," warned Girard.  kgw.com

Davenport, IA: Police allege suspect was part of QC 'smash-and-grab' incidents
A Plantation, Fla., woman faces multiple felony charges after Davenport Police allege she is connected to "smash-and-grab" vehicle burglaries and "Felony Lane" crimes throughout the Quad Cities area. Janice Cabano faces these felony charges, according to court records: First-degree theft, Four counts of forgery, Four counts of identity theft over $1,500 and under $10,000. On March 25 and 26, Cabano passed, or attempted to pass, numerous forged stolen checks using stolen identification and stolen bank cards at different Scott County banks in Bettendorf, Davenport, Eldridge, and LeClaire, totaling over $17,000 in losses, arrest affidavits say. "She also hit banks in Dewitt and Clinton, Iowa on those days," according to affidavits. All of the aforementioned stolen items had previously been stolen during numerous Felony Lane Gang-style smash-and-grab vehicle burglaries in Bettendorf, Davenport, and Eldridge. ourquadcities.com

Port Chester, NY: Man Stole $5K In Electronics From Target, Then Returned For More
Police say returning to the scene of the crime was a theft suspect's undoing. On Wednesday, around 3 p.m., the Port Chester Police Department was contacted by Target store security reporting that they recognized a man who had previously stolen over $5000 in electronics. Store security told police they watched the man attempting to again remove electronic equipment from a display. But, he soon realized that store security was watching him. As the man attempted to leave the store, two PCPD officers stopped him to investigate, but he began to fight and break away from them, according to police. After a foot chase, they eventually lost sight of him. With the help of the Rye Police Department, a perimeter was set up and police searched the woods behind the Target store. K9 Mac arrived on the scene and was about to start searching, when officers spotted the suspect hiding in heavy brush nearby. The 31-year-old NYC man was charged with third degree grand larceny and resisting arrest. Police also found out that he is already wanted by the NYPD for a robbery where a firearm was used in committing a crime. He is currently awaiting arraignment. patch.com

Navasota, TX: Police Arrest 4 after Baby Formula stolen from Grocery store
The Navasota Police Department says around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, officers were dispatched to a business in the 300 block of North LaSalle Street for a report of a theft. The suspects were reported to have stolen several tubs of baby formula and left the property. Officers searched the area and located the suspects' vehicle traveling on Highway 6. Police stopped the vehicle on Highway 6 near FM 159. The vehicle was occupied by 19-year-old Stefan Mihalache and 39-year-old Domnica Tomescu, both of Houston, along with three juveniles. Police say one of the juveniles was found concealing 27 tubs of baby formula under her clothing in an altered pouch. After reviewing video footage, they found that four of the suspects participated in the theft. Police searched the vehicle and seized several more tubs of baby formula that they say were taken during a different theft. kwhi.com

Southaven, MS: Two wanted for scamming over $1K in gift cards from Family Dollar
Two women are on the run after they scammed a Southaven store out of more than $1,000 worth of gift cards, according to the Southaven Police Department. Southaven Police said the women walked into a Family Dollar on Highway 51 around 7:30 p.m. on October 9. Once inside, the pair shoplifted several items and scammed the cashier into uploading more than $1,000 on three gift cards, police said. fox13memphis.com

Fontana, CA: Police searching for additional victims after two men were arrested for fuel theft; estimated $15,000 loss