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2/13/19 d-ddaily.net


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2019 GLPS - Group LP Selfies
Your Team - Your Pride - Our Industry
Building Industry Pride - One Team Selfie at a Time

Members of the TJX Team at
NRF Protect 2018

Members of the TJX team on stage at NRF PROTECT 2018. NRF PROTECT brings together LP, asset protection, internal audit, ORC investigators, risk management, IT security, retail operations professionals, food retailers, wholesalers and suppliers responsible for securing retail’s success.

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Moving Up
 Sponsored by Agilence
 
Mike Giblin promoted to Director of Research for the Loss Prevention Research Council
As Director of Research, Mike will be broadly responsible for strategizing and managing the LPRC’s Research Team, overseeing all LPRC Research Projects, and strategizing Science2Practice: Member interaction with ongoing research and delivery of finished research results. Congratulations Mike!

Jordan Burchell promoted to Innovation Specialist for the Loss Prevention Research Council
As LPRC’s Innovation Specialist, Jordan will be heading up our growing Innovate program which aims to support the LPRC Research Team with technology, expertise, and access to multidisciplinary collaborators at UF and elsewhere. Jordan is responsible for managing the spaces and places that make up LPRC’s overall research environment, including our Innovation Lab, Store Labs, and Ideation & Simulation Lab. Congratulations Jordan!

Taylor Valdez named Operations Manager for Security Resources, Inc.
Taylor was previously an Account Coordinator, Key Clients and came to Security Resources with a loss prevention background from Target. While at Target, Taylor was a Sr. Analyst - Investigations. He was also a Security Supervisor for Virtua Health and POS Analyst for Agilence. Congratulations Taylor!

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LPQ or LPC Scholarships in 2019!
CIS Security Solutions has scholarships available in partnership with LPF

                

As a member of the Loss Prevention Foundation, CIS Security Solutions has several LPQ/LPC Scholarships available for 2019. Applications will be accepted until March 31, 2019 and the Winners will be announced by April 30th, 2019. If you are interested, please fill out the survey. Apply Here!

Intellicheck Has the Solution
 FDA Escalates Enforcement Actions After Youth Tobacco Survey
Historic Milestone - One Million Retailer Inspections

FDA outlines data from FDA/CDC 2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey showing rise in under-aged tobacco use and hints at next steps.

On Monday, Feb. 11, FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D. released a statement on new data demonstrating rising youth use of tobacco products and the agency's ongoing actions to confront the epidemic of youth e-cigarette use.

Gottlieb's statement is as follows:

Today, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released additional data from our joint FDA/CDC 2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey. These data are a sobering reminder of the initial results we shared last fall indicating a rampant rise of youth e-cigarette use, which has prompted the FDA to take a series of escalating regulatory actions as part of our Youth Tobacco Prevention Plan. We are advancing those actions, and committing to some new steps.

The epidemic use of e-cigarettes among children is one of the biggest public health challenges currently facing the FDA.

  

Underage Smoking & Vaping Being Scrutinized By FDA Nationwide
Holding Retailers Accountable & Issuing Warning
With Walgreens and Circle K being fined and the FDA announcing their one millionth age verification inspection they’re vowing to pick up the inspections and are making the news around the country in various news outlets.

The FDA statement released by the Director this week goes into great detail about the harmful effects of smoking and the responsibility retailers have to ensure they to play a role in effort to curb underage smoking.

After all of this press, lengthy statement and public warning it may be time to revisit your controls and processes around your front end selling. Just a thought, Gus Downing

 FDA pulls up Walgreens & Circle K - Violating Tobacco Laws - Selling to Minors
1,500 Warning Letters - 240 Fines - Threatens to Shut Down Cigarette Sales
Walgreens is currently the top violator among pharmacies that sell tobacco products, with 22% of stores inspected selling to minors.

"I will be writing (to) the corporate management of Walgreens and requesting a meeting with them to discuss whether there is a corporate-wide issue related to their stores' non-compliance," FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb said. reuters.com

 Chicago Sues 27 Online Retailers Over E-Cigarette Sales
More than two dozen online sellers of e-cigarettes and vaping liquids are facing a lawsuit from the city of Chicago, which says the companies illegally sold tobacco products to minors. The city says it’s taking action against four retail stores in Chicago for similar violations.

Tobacco use among American youth is on the rise. Last year, 4.9 million youth used tobacco – an increase of 1.5 million users from 2017, largely driven by an increase in e-cigarette use, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. wttw.com

REI CEO Jerry Stritzke Resigns, Following Investigation into a Personal
& Consensual Relationship With Head of Another Outdoor Industry Company - "Perceived Conflict of Interest"
Jerry Stritzke spent the past five years helping build REI’s brand as one of the most ethical players in the outdoor retail business. But this week, REI’s CEO acknowledged that he himself had gotten on the wrong side of the rules.

REI Chairman announced Stritzke's departure scheduled for March 15th. It wasn't made clear to employees if it was a supplier or other partner.

The investigation didn't find any financial misconduct. However Stritzke's failure to disclose the relationship "led to a perceived conflict of interest" for the retailer, which had long cultivated an image of transparency. seattletimes.com

 No-Deal Brexit Threatens British Crime Fighting
Loses Access to Europol Intelligence Agency - Data - Warrants
May Give Organized Crime Groups a Boost - ORC Could Rise
British law enforcement officials say they're doing their best to cope with the possibility that the U.K. will crash out of the EU in 45 days.

Police officers will be able to use Britain's new International Crime Coordination Center, a national unit that authorities on Monday said has become fully operational. But policing chiefs warn that the center will not be as effective as the existing arrangements that the U.K. enjoys as a member of the European Union, including access to the EU's law enforcement intelligence agency, Europol.

Nation-state divorce was bound to be messy. But the full extent of what U.K. police will forfeit looks to be substantial. All told, British police could lose access to 40 tools when the U.K. exits the EU.

To help cope, the IPCC was launched in September 2018 with £2 million ($2.6 million) in funding from the Home Office. It's been tasked with creating the very British-sounding "alternative mechanisms" that the country will require when it leaves the EU, losing access to such crime-fighting tools as the European Arrest Warrant.

Plans for the ICCC call for it to have about 50 police and civilian employees drawn from the National Crime Agency - the U.K.'s sister domestic law enforcement agency to the FBI - and national Criminal Records Office. A spokesman for the National Police Chiefs' Council, which coordinates national police operations, tells Information Security Media Group that the center is now fully staffed and continues to train officers to help on a local level. "The network of officers will be fully ready by the end of this month or start of next month - though many already are," he says.

European Criminal Records Information System: ECRIS enables EU member states to exchange criminal conviction information. "Currently criminal record checks with member states take six days on average, whereas the average outside the EU is 66 days," according to the Met.

Martin has said that 70 percent of "transient organized crime groups" operate in three or more countries. But post-Brexit, cross-border policing operations would also be interrupted or operate at reduced capacity.

"Brexit is very likely to lead to a significant reduction on cooperation in criminal and policing matters between the U.K. and the EU." govinfosecurity.com

 Laredo, TX Perfume Stores Used For Cartel Monday Laundering
Six Convicted (four men and two women) for Roles in Multi-Million Dollar Black Market Peso Exchange Money-Laundering Scheme. Sentencing pending.

Drug money from all over the U.S. was moved by couriers, including Galvan-Constantini and Montes-Patino, via cars, commercial buses, commercial planes, and a private plane in bulk cash amounts of up to hundreds of thousands of dollars at a time. The money, in heat sealed packs, uneven rubber-banded money stacks, or loose U.S. currency, arrived in plastic bags, cloth bags, suitcases, backpacks, and even cereal boxes. The money was then distributed among downtown Laredo, Texas perfume stores, including El Reino International Inc., and NYSA Impex LLC. The owner of NYSA Impex LLC, Gudipati, and the owners of El Reino International Inc., Harsh Jaggi, and Neeru Jaggi, accepted loose bulk-cash, even after being told it was “narco dinero.” justice.gov

 What HR is Reading
Weed at Work: Must Employers Accommodate Medical Use?
This is the second in a three-part series of articles on cannabis laws and court opinions. Today's article discusses workplace accommodations for medical marijuana use. The first part reviews different rulings on federal pre-emption of state marijuana laws, and the third part focuses on how marijuana is treated under state workers' compensation and benefit programs. shrm.org

Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Arby's DC eateries took a hit as shutdown costs US $11B
The Congressional Budget Office estimated that the government shutdown cost the economy $11 billion.

The Congressional Budget Office, a nonpartisan agency, estimated that the 35-day shutdown in December and January, the longest in U.S. history, cost the economy $11 billion, with $3 billion permanently lost.

That $3 billion includes lost revenue for restaurants as tourists skipped trips to the nation's capital to visit the Smithsonian museums and 800,000 federal employees missed paychecks and cashed in on deals and free meals from local eateries instead. Chick-fil-A, Starbucks and Arby's were among national restaurant chains to see a sharp drop in foot traffic, according to a new report. Traffic to fine-dining restaurants in the area dropped by about 33 percent. cnbc.com

 First Month of 2019 Was the Bloodiest
In just the first month of 2019, more than 1,600 retail store closings have been announced, and retailers like Gymboree, Charlotte Russe and Shopko have initiated bankruptcy proceedings. Others hoping to survive will need to carefully navigate all threats, particularly unanticipated ones like a government shutdown.

Retailers may need to dust off their 2009 marketing playbook, which employed heavy discounting and guided shoppers toward smaller basket purchases (rather than settle for no purchases at all). emarketer.com

 Nine U.S. Senators Move to Block T-Mobile US & Sprint Merger
The $26 billion merger would reduce the number of nationwide wireless players from four to three.

The senators said the merger is "likely to raise prices for consumers, harm workers, stifle competition, exacerbate the digital divide, and undermine innovation."

In 2011, the FCC and Justice Department rejected AT&T's acquisition of T-Mobile, saying the reduction in competition would harm consumers. The senators echoed that sentiment Tuesday.

"Antitrust regulators around the world have consistently blocked four-to-three mergers in the mobile and telecommunications industry, and those who have allowed such mergers have lived to regret it."  cnet.com

 Biometric payment cards’ path to mass market
While mass adoption of payment cards with fingerprint sensors may happen soon, exactly when, and who will take what share in the market, is an open question.

There is a general consensus among fingerprint sensor providers and other stakeholders that millions of payment cards will be secured with fingerprint biometrics within the next few years. The early trials of biometric payment cards in 2018 are, as recently reported, widely expected to be followed by more trials, with certifications and initial production roll-outs planned before the end of 2019. Goode Intelligence predicts the market will reach 579 million units by 2023, and the enthusiasm with which consumers have embraced the convenience of biometric smartphone unlocking can be taken as an indication that adoption will be rapid if it means less fraud, less cancelled cards, and less spending limits on contactless cards.

The Issues & The Plan. biometricupdate.com

 Harrisburg, PA: Bill aims to crack down on Jewelry thefts
A bill working its way through the state House aims to make it harder for thieves to fence jewelry at pawn shops. The legislation is needed as the opioid epidemic drives addicted people to turn to crime to get cash to buy drugs, said state Rep. Jim Rigby, R-Cambria County, the author of the bill. Under the proposal, precious metal dealers would be required to hold onto jewelry longer, require that they take photos of identification of whoever brought the jewelry in and require that dealers take more photos of any jewelry they receive. Current law requires that jewelry is held for five days. Rigby’s proposal would increase that hold time to 10 business days. ncnewsonline.com

 Private Equity Buyouts Debt Hits Again
Payless, Gymboree and the road to Chapter 22
Some of the blame likely goes to large debt piles at both retailers, courtesy of private equity buyouts.

 Green Growth Brands, Cannabis Stores, to Open Hundreds of Stores Nationwide

 Hobby Lobby Closing Its 8 Hemisphere Furniture Stores

 Global Security Investigations Manager Posted for QVC in West Chester, PA

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The Hump Day 'Big Hump'
 






Moody's To Begin Rating Cyber Risk For Enterprisers - The Heat is Coming
Moody's recently announced that it will now consider cyber-risks and breaches in their coveted ratings. The company's decision to consider cyber-risks will have global impacts across all sectors and could have a significant long-term impact on the behavior of rated organizations as the concept spreads to other rating systems and beyond the scope of Moody's reach.

While Moody's cyber-risk ratings will be limited to the organizations and industries they chose, in the very near future, any business asking to borrow money could face questions about their cyber-risks.

In fact, other businesses that rely on risk ratings are already designing ways to do just that within their own context. There are already cyber-risk ratings out there from credit groups like FICO; however, there are no clear leaders in the space, and that may change with Moody's cyber-risk ratings. techtarget.com

R-CISC - The Retail ISAC Annual Report
'Protect as One'
The Retail Cyber Intelligence Sharing Center (R-CISC) is the trusted cybersecurity community for retailers, gaming properties, consumer product manufacturers, grocers, hotels, restaurants, and cybersecurity industry partners worldwide.

We enable retail and consumer facing sectors to mitigate cyber risk by establishing trust, expanding knowledge and maturing capability through information and intelligence sharing.

As the cybersecurity sharing community for the retail and hospitality sectors, our membership worked together to reduce cyber risks to the industry in a year that brought about increased complexity and sophistication of cyber threats.

We’re pleased to share the results of all that we accomplished together in the 2018 Annual Report, which reminds us of just how much we can achieve when we work together to protect as one.

From 45 members in 2015 to 136 members at years end in 2018. With 945 Practitioner Analysts, Managers, Directors, and CISO's representing over 700 retail and hospitality brands.

This is a great view of how R-CISC is structured, the actual executives involved, and the various working groups, work product and effort. A must read for all Loss Prevention and Asset Protection executives.

View the report here! r-cisc.org

With Doctored Photos, Thieves Try to Steal Bitcoin
'Deep Fakes' May Eventually Complicate Identity Verification
When hackers try to steal someone's bitcoin from a cryptocurrency account, there's a roadblock that invariably appears: a request for a one-time passcode.

Some cryptocurrency exchanges mandate that customers use two-step verification. It requires a one-time passcode to be entered after someone logs in with a username and password. It's a crucial security tool that deflects account takeover attempts if thieves have already obtained someone's account credentials.

A one-time passcode may be sent over SMS, but the safer way is to use an authenticator app, such as Authy, Cisco's Duo or Google Authenticator, to generate the code.

Foolproof, right? Not so. There's a market for doctored photographs that aim to persuade exchanges to reset two-step verification, says Alex Holden, CISO at Hold Security, a Wisconsin-based consultancy. Read on govinfosecurity.com

Russia Plans to Secede Temporarily From the Global Internet
Testing its internal national network and reroute traffic through its watchdog agency for telecommunications. cybersecurity.cmail20.com

Devastating Cyberattack on Email Provider Destroys 18 Years of Data
An unknown attacker appears to have deleted 18 years' worth of customer emails, along with all backup copies of the data, at email provider VFEmail.

The attacker sent no ransom notes and appears not to have made any attempt at contacting VFEmail. The motive seems to have been "just attack and destroy," the company said. darkreading.com
Spotlight on NuTech National
 

Canadian Connections
 Sponsored by Vector Security Network
 

LCBO adding security guards at select locations to combat liquor thefts
Follows the arrest of 2 suspects involved in 40 separate LCBO thefts totaling $92K
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario is ramping up security measures at some of its locations across the province amid reports of an increase in brazen thefts at liquor stores. A statement from the LCBO on Saturday said it is adding security guards at select stores to ensure the safety and security of its staff and customers.

The LCBO statement said the Crown corporation will implement "industry-leading" technology at some of its stores to prevent thefts, although it has not provided further details on what that technology is. Last month, the LCBO said it increased spending on CCTV technology and other in-store deterrents.

The LCBO statement said it will also be training employees on how to take "safe actions" during thefts and how to be a credible witness to the crimes. Earlier this month, as reported in the Daily on Feb. 6, Toronto police arrested two suspects believed to have been involved in up to 40 separate thefts from LCBO stores in the past three months, resulting in the retail loss of about $92,000.

Toronto police spokesman Const. David Hopkinson said in a statement that officers have been responding to a rising number of theft calls at liquor stores "over the past few years," and that the incidents are becoming increasingly aggressive. Hopkinson said there were 5,160 thefts in 2017 and 8,664 in 2018 at Toronto LCBO outlets, as reported in the Daily on Jan 23. He said most of the thefts have occurred in downtown locations.

Uniformed Cops Part of LCBO's Theft Crackdown
Stakeouts and stings. Takedowns of organized theft rings. And in LCBO after LCBO across Toronto, a sudden and robust police presence right there on the shop floor, standing guard over the people’s liquor. A security blitz is underway to tame an epidemic of broad-daylight theft from the Ontario-owned liquor retailer first reported by the Star in December.

The multi-faceted crackdown began two weeks ago with the LCBO itself calling in the cavalry, hiring more paid-duty Toronto police officers at its hardest-hit and highest-traffic locations throughout the city.

“We’re seeing uniformed officers here all day, from open till close, and it’s a huge relief to staff. They’re setting up stings in some stores. The LCBO is paying a fortune — we don’t know how long it will last, but the customers sure are happy,” one LCBO source told the Star. ctvnews.ca  thestar.com

 Pilot program put police in Winnipeg Liquor Marts to deter thefts
Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries quietly hired Winnipeg police officers to help curb liquor mart thefts last weekend, but is keeping any plans to do it again under wraps. "We continue to work closely with the WPS to explore every avenue possible to deter thefts at Liquor Marts," said an MLL spokesperson in a written statement to CBC News. "This past weekend we engaged some of these special duty officers at some Liquor Mart locations."

Still, MLL won't say if using special duty officers in stores will be an ongoing initiative. A spokesperson wrote that sharing information about security and anti-theft measures could put staff and customers at risk. Last September, the Manitoba Government and General Employees Union said it was eager to find a solution that would help keep staff and customers protected following a string of liquor mart thefts. cbc.ca

 Liquor theft 'epidemic' creates confounding problem for courts
"There's a perception in the community right now that anyone can flagrantly enter into a liquor store, pick out whatever they choose, walk out without paying for it," Crown attorney Sarah Murdoch said during a sentencing hearing for a 19-year-old man charged in 13 thefts at four locations.

The current "epidemic" of liquor thieves is unlike anything defence lawyer Don Mokriy has ever seen in his 20-year career — and he's represented many petty criminals, including Thomas.

Now, as some of these offenders make their way through the justice system, courts are struggling to find ways to be fair, holding out hope for their rehabilitation, while sending a message that these kinds of thefts won't be tolerated. cbc.ca


Security guard oversight falling short, says Canadian Civil Liberties Association
More security guards than police officers in Canada - but 'zero oversight'
The head of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association says to avoid problems, there needs to be better government oversight of security guards. The number of security guards employed in Canada has "ballooned" over the past decade, said association executive director Michael Bryant, to the point that "there's more security guards in Canada than there are police officers." However, he said, the training and regulations haven't kept up with the growth of the industry.

"There's practically zero oversight," he said. "At least compared to police, and the oversight for the police is wholly inadequate right now, in 2019 in Canada, as it is."

Thunder Bay police confirmed they're investigating an incident, caught on video, that showed a security guard at a local Shoppers Drug Mart appearing to restrain a youth before slamming him to the floor. A spokesperson for Loblaw Companies Limited, Shoppers's parent company, referred to the "use of force," as being against company policy and called the incident "unacceptable."

In Ontario, security guards can make legal citizens' arrests in specific situations — for example, when they witness a theft taking place — and in some cases can use force if it's considered "reasonable," Bryant said.

Bryant said he'd like to see more emphasis on de-escalation, as opposed to force, in the training that is required of security guards before they can get a licence in Ontario, as well as better oversight of the trainers themselves.  cbc.ca

Some Canadian Tire stores are removing self-checkout machines
In an era where retail automation appears inevitable, at least a few Canadian Tire stores in Toronto, plus a small grocery chain in the U.S., are bucking the trend: Instead of adding self-checkout machines, they're removing them.

Self-checkouts, which were created to provide convenience for customers and cut costs for companies, have become an indelible part of the retail landscape. But the machines have also sparked a backlash from shoppers who complain that they can be difficult to use and threaten cashier jobs.

CBC News identified three Canadian Tire stores in Toronto that recently removed their self-checkout machines. The retailer declined to say whether any other locations have followed suit. It said in an email that each of its stores is independently operated by an associate dealer who decides "what checkout experience works best for their customers." cbc.ca

 Self-Checkouts Not Checking Out Any Time Soon, Says Walmart Canada


Nearly 40% of imported fish labeled incorrectly at the retail level
Seafood mislabeled all along Canada's food supply chain
Seafood lovers may be fishing for answers after a study by University of Guelph researchers suggests fish is being mislabeled at more than one point in Canada's supply chain. Bob Hanner, an associate professor in the department of integrative biology at the U of G says researchers found mislabeling was compounding at each stage of the supply chain.

"Nearly 20 per cent of the samples being imported into Canada were mislabeled," said Hanner. "At the wholesale and processor level that was closer to 30 per cent. And then at the retail level closer to 40 per cent."

Hanner and the University worked with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to collect 203 samples from 12 species of fish. Researchers used DNA bar coding to determine the species. cbc.ca
Canada Store Openings & Expansions
● London's first retail pot shop could open in west-end plaza
● Pulp Fiction bucks the bookselling trend and is expanding in Vancouver
● Louis Vuitton to Open Large Standalone Store at West Edmonton Mall
● Ottawa's 1st legal cannabis shop could open on Wellington Street W.
● Iconic Peters’ Drive-In ‘very excited’ to announce Edmonton location

Ontario launches cannabis retail training; 4-hours mandatory online program
 

Kingston, ON: Former grocery store manager allegedly defrauded chain of over $36,000
A 28-year-old former manager is accused of defrauding a grocery-store chain of thousands of dollars. Police in Kingston, Ont., say the suspect worked at the unidentified chain from August 2017 to August 2018. They say his former employer alleged he processed refunds on his personal debit and credit cards. Police say the alleged fraud at locations in Kingston and Whitby, Ont., totalled about $36,000. The man, from Belleville, Ont., turned himself in this week. ctvnews.ca

Scarborough, ON: Business owners 'on edge' after string of break-ins at GTA Square Mall
Thieves targeted two stores inside the GTA Square Mall on Thursday at around 2 a.m. Video of the incidents obtained by CTV News Toronto later in the day shows two suspects walking through the empty mall. The owner of MJ’s Gold House said the suspects took about $7,500 worth of merchandise and between $4,000 and $5,000 in cash from the back office at the time. According to business owners, the mall has been broken into three times since April 2018. The second break-in was in mid-December. ctvnews.ca

Edmonton, AB: Man injured in shooting at Mill Woods 7-Eleven

 Cote Saint-Luc, QC: Stabbing at Cavendish Mall leaves one man injured

 Windsor, ON: Man arrested in credit card fraud & thefts from produce store, mosque

Edmonton, AB: Police searching for man they believe stole credit card, spent $17K

 Summerside, PEI: Woman gets jail time for theft

 Thunder Bay, ON: Paintball guns stolen from hardware store

 (Update) Toronto, ON: Eaton Centre shooter was suffering from PTSD, defense lawyers say

 Simcoe, ON: Teens built toilet paper fort then fell asleep inside store overnight
 


Robberies & Burglaries

 ● C-Store - Windsor, ON - Armed Robbery
 ● Jewelry Store - Scarborough, ON - Burglary
 ● MJ's Gold House - Scarborough, ON - Burglary



 

In this first video, Alan Rabinowitz and Bob Bonstrom tell us about two new products Delta Lock is bringing to the market - Mobi, a retrofit "smart key", and SAL, an electronic "invisible" lock. Powered by artificial intelligence, these devices create audit trails in real-time to reduce shrinkage and provide both forensic and marketing analytics for retailers.

Delta Lock was founded on the belief and principles that make a positive difference with their customers and employees by understanding and meeting their respective needs. As a Total Solutions Provider, Delta Lock offers and supports Turnkey Products, mechanical and electronic locks, designed to meet customer requirements, applications, and how these products must work and function.

'Group LP Selfie'  Pizza Party Drawing!

Who wants some free pizza?

Find out which three lucky LP/AP teams won a free pizza party, courtesy of the D&D Daily, as part of our latest "Group LP Selfie" drawing with MCs Joe LaRocca and Amber Bradley, Brent Gable from OpenEye, and Gus Downing - who all take a fun group selfie of their own.

e-commerce
 Sponsored by The Zellman Group

The unintended consequences of tinkering with online prices
When your online retail platform clears billions of transactions a year, what's the harm in testing different prices for the same products on a relative handful of your customers? You might find a way to maximize revenue by increasing sales volume on your lower-priced products, right? Or, you might lock down sales on a product that your consumers were on the fence about.

That's the theory behind "dynamic pricing," a practice in vogue among online retailers as they attempt to better manage revenue and take advantage of massive amounts of data they're collecting about their customers.

But a new paper by a team of researchers—including two faculty from Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis—shows the practice of dynamic pricing can generate unintended consequences by changing the behavior of customers.

"Retailers didn't realize that offering different prices to different customers may backfire in the long run," said Dennis Zhang, assistant professor of operations and manufacturing management and one of the paper's authors.

In fact, the longer-term results of dynamic pricing and special shopping cart promotions showed three unintended consequences that were a mix of good and bad news for retailers.

● First, and on the upside, retailers started to see more website views for their products and a higher likelihood of driving a purchase during the month.

● Second, customers were indeed becoming more strategic about their shopping. They were adding more products to their carts and hoping for a price promotion, or they were being more choosy about what they bought, with the effect that even the sale of products without promotions were rising after the experiment period.

● And third, the effects of these promotions spill over to a large set of sellers who never offered price promotions in the first place. They find that their customers start acting more strategically, too. In other words, once you've become more strategic, you're not only more strategic with the promotion sellers, you're also more strategic with the no-promotion sellers. phys.org

Giant Food Stores Opens Ecommerce Hub

Walmart And Amazon Up Their Private-Label Retail Game

Facebook Buys AI Online Shopping Start-Up, GrokStyle
 
"Fraud is not a person - it is a dynamic grouping of statistics that deviate from the norm."
Stuart B. Levine, CFI, CFCI
CEO, The Zellman Group & Zelligent



ORC News
 Sponsored by Auror
 

LPRC Welcomes New Member: Auror
Please welcome Auror, a new solution partner who joined the LPRC community towards the end of 2018. Auror partners with retailers to help them better report, solve, and prevent crime across their stores. Having started in New Zealand and Australia and supporting retailers to achieve significant reductions in losses and safer stores, Auror is launching it’s new Retail Crime Intelligence Platform in April. They’ll be announcing their first US hire and more details around their US launch plans later this month. Stay tuned!

Auror will participate in the following Working Groups and Innovation Chains:

● ORC Working Group
● Violent Crime Working Group
● LP Innovation Working Group
 

Atlanta, GA: 'Felony Lane Gang' taunts officers on social media
Numerous metro Atlanta law enforcement agencies are searching for a theft crew called the "Felony Lane Gang," which detectives said has posted taunting messages to police on Instagram. One of the posts in a possible message to officers reads, "Do ya job [expletive]." Another boastfully shows a woman displaying stacks of dollar bills.

"They might be taunting us with what they're posting on social media. With all the active warrants we've got on them through all these different jurisdictions, it's just a matter of time before we get them," said Officer Justin Stott with Covington Police. Officers have identified three of the women in the gang as Amber Dunlap, 27, Tiphanie Eager, 26, Toni Huizar, 23. There is an unknown number of men and women in the crew, according to officers. fox5atlanta.com

Miami, FL: About $70,000 worth of merchandise stolen from cigar shop in northwest Miami-Dade
The burglary occurred between 3:30 a.m. and 5:15 a.m. Sunday at Casa Cuevas Cigars at 2355 NW 70th Ave. The owner said he moved his business to that location about two months ago. He said the thieves got into his business by making a large hole in the wall. Surveillance video shows a white box truck pulling up to the business and at least five thieves working together to break into the store. local10.com

Myrtle Beach, SC: Police search for woman accused of Felony Theft from Hollister
A woman is wanted after allegedly stealing hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise from the Hollister clothing store at Coastal Grand Mall. On Feb. 3, the suspect, identified as 26-year-old Skye Camille Sanders, entered the store and started selecting several items, laying them flat on her arm. An employee said when she turned her back, Sanders ran out the front door, the report confirms. Police say the total value of the stolen merchandise was $664.26. wmbfnews.com

Ballwin, MO: Man arrested for shoplifting found with detailed journal of stolen liquor
Note Book was recovered by Police dating back to December (with great penmanship) tracks date, merchandise description, values, location and even notes the suspect took the day off. kplr11.com

Auburn, IN: Speedway Employee arrested for theft of $10,000 of Lottery Tickets and cash; winning between $2,000 to $5,000

Paris, TN: Police searching for 3 suspects in $1,600 theft at Hibbett Sports; possible connection to Hibbett’s theft in Camden
Retail Crime News
 Sponsored by Security Resources
 

Shootings & Deaths

Queens, NY: NYPD Detective shot dead, Sergeant wounded in bloodbath at Queens T-Mobile Armed Robbery
An NYPD detective was shot and killed, and a sergeant was wounded in a furious gun battle Tuesday night with an armed robber in Queens, law enforcement sources said. The death of hero Det. Brian Simonsen is the first gunshot line-of-duty fatality since 2017.

According to sources, police were responding to an armed robbery at a T-Mobile cell phone store at Atlantic Ave. and 121st St. in Richmond Hill at around 6:14 p.m. Simonsen, a 19-year veteran detective, and 102nd Precinct squad Sgt. Matthew Gorman were struck by gunfire as two suspects holed up inside the store, sources said.

Simonsen was hit in the chest. He leaves behind a wife and two children, sources said. Gorman was shot in the hip. It wasn’t clear if the officers were wearing bulletproof vests. One of the robbery suspects was shot and critically wounded in the confrontation. The second suspect was apprehended later. nydailynews.com

Update: New York: NYPD Release that Detective was killed by Friendly Fire
The New York Police Department is mourning a detective killed by friendly fire as officers confronted a robbery suspect who turned out to be armed with a replica handgun. Detective Brian Simonsen, 42, was struck in the chest Tuesday night as multiple officers fired on the suspect at a T-Mobile store in Queens, police Commissioner James O'Neill said. Simonsen, a 19-year NYPD veteran, was put in a squad car and taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. "This appears to be an absolutely tragic case of friendly fire," an emotional O'Neill said. "Make no mistake about it, friendly fire aside, it is because of the actions of the suspect that Detective Simonsen is dead." startribune.com

Cinco Ranch, TX: Walgreens Armed Robbery
2 robbery suspects dead and 2 others arrested after shootout with Troopers
Authorities say it all started around 10:50 p.m. Tuesday when the group of suspects robbed a Walgreens while employees were inside the store at Westheimer Parkway. The chase ended with a shootout at an apartment complex, where two of the suspects were killed. DPS Sgt. Stephen Woodward said the two suspects who were arrested are 21 years old. Investigators believe that the suspects are responsible for at least eight robberies. abc13.com

Fairbanks, AK: Walmart Robbery suspect fatally shot after brandishing gun at FPD officers
Four Fairbanks police officers fatally shot a suspect who reportedly brandished a gun at officers who were responding to reports of an armed robbery of a retail store, a carjacking at gunpoint, and a car chase in whiteout conditions. According to a release from Fairbanks Police Department late Tuesday night, the investigation leading up to the shooting began on Saturday night, when FPD officers received reports of a gun theft at a Fairbanks-area Walmart. The suspect was able to flee the store and was not located by Police.

On Tuesday the same suspect committed an armed carjacking and Armed Robbery of a Gun Shop, stealing additional weapons. Four minutes later, the suspect crashed his car on the highway; exiting the car with his gun drawn at Officers. The suspect refused to comply with commands, the officers shot and killed the suspect. ktuu.com

 New York, NY: Hunters Point Man Gunned Down Outside Flushing Store
A Long Island City man was shot dead in front of a metal shop store in Flushing early this morning. Xin Gu, 31, was shot multiple times in front of 131-01 Fowler Ave. at around 2:35 a.m., police said. Police arrived on the scene and found the Gu with multiple gunshot wounds to his head and body. The NYPD have not made any arrests and the investigation is ongoing. licpost.com

 Update: Fredrick, CO: Man shot, killed by LaSalle officer was involved in gun shop burglary
Seth Keo Mallard is tied to the theft of 73 firearms
Frederick police have determined that one of the suspects involved with the burglary of a firearm store earlier this month was a 20-year-old man who last week was shot and killed by a LaSalle police officer. Seth Keo Mallard, who lived as a transient, is tied to the theft of 73 firearms, as well as ammunition, from Snoopy’s Guns sometime overnight on Feb. 2. The burglary took place a few days before he was involved in an officer-involved shooting in LaSalle, according to Frederick Police. denverpost.com

 Update: Birmingham, AL: Woman wanted in killing of former Piggly Wiggly co-worker nabbed by U.S. Marshals in Tennessee
A woman wanted in the Christmas Eve killing of a woman inside a Birmingham Piggly Wiggly is now in custody after more than a month on the run. U.S. Marshals took 30-year-old Sharonda James into custody in Chattanooga shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday. She is charged with murder in the Dec. 24 death of Jerika Manuel, a 28-year-old mother who was killed while at work at the grocery store. James has a violent criminal history including an arrest earlier this year on kidnapping and assault charges as well as a 2010 charge of capital murder, which was later dismissed.

Birmingham police on Dec. 28 announced formal charges against James in Manuel’s death. In mid-January, Birmingham police enlisted the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force to help find the elusive suspect. "It was a priority case for us,'' said U.S. Marshal Marty Keely. Together, the task force and Birmingham police developed a lead that indicated James had left the state. al.com

Robberies, Incidents & Thefts

Inglewood, CA: Arrests Made In Millennium Biltmore Hotel Jewelry Store Robbery Case

Colorado Spring, CO: Citizens detain attempted robbery suspect of 7-Eleven

Former Game Stop employee charged in $12,000 cash burglary

Skimming Thefts

Boston, MA: Brazilian National Pleads Guilty to ATM Skimming
A Brazilian national pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Boston to charges of ATM skimming in towns north of Boston. Alexandre Kawamura placed hidden skimming devices and pinhole cameras on Eastern Bank ATMs in Saugus, Stoneham, Medford, and Everett, every day between February 25 and March 16, 2018, when he was arrested. The purpose of the skimming devices was to record bank account information on the magnetic strips of debit and credit cards that unwitting victims inserted into the ATMs. The purpose of the pinhole cameras was to capture the victims’ PINs as they were entered on the ATM keypads. justice.gov

White Pine, TN: Police arrest three, fake cards, cash seized in credit card fraud operation
 

Sentencings

Houston's Market Street Money Gang or MSMG
27 Indicted in $2.7M Multi-State ATM Robberies
27 Houston residents have been indicted and arrested as the result of an investigation into 47 strong-arm ATM robberies in the Eastern District of Texas.

Committing at least 47 strong-arm robberies of ATM (Automated Teller Machine) technicians as they attempted to service the machines. In addition to multiple robberies in the Eastern District of Texas, including robberies in Plano, Allen, McKinney, and Texarkana, the suspects are accused of robberies in multiple other cities throughout Texas, and in Georgia, North Carolina, Missouri, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, and Tennessee. Estimated losses to financial institutions are believed to be approximately $2,779,000. The suspects are linked to a criminal gang based in the 5th Ward area of Houston known as the Market Street Money Gang, or MSMG. justice.gov

Cadillac, MI: C-Store Burglary suspect pleads No Contest; Plea Deal may get him 10 years instead of Life for 4th strike


 


Robberies and Burglaries
 Sponsored by Scarsdale Security Systems

● C-Store – Chili, NY – Burglary (3rd in 3 wks)
● C-Store – West Menlo Park, CA - Burglary
● C-Store – San Jose, CA – Armed Robbery
● Dollar General – Franklin, IN – Armed Robbery
● Gas Station – Erie, PA – Burglary
● Jewelry store – Tarboro, NC - Armed Robbery
● McDonald’s – Anaheim, CA – Armed Robbery
● Sporting Goods store - Paris, TN – Robbery
● T-Mobile – Queens, NY – Armed Robbery/ 2 Police shot, 1 killed
● Tobacco store – Miami, FL – Burglary
● Tobacco store – Honolulu, HI – Armed Robbery
● Walgreens – Cinco Ranch, TX – Armed Robbery / 2 suspects killed by Police
● Walmart – Pearl, MS – Robbery/ Assault on LP
● 7-Eleven – Colorado Springs, CO – Robbery

Daily Totals:
• 10 robberies
 • 4 burglaries
 • 2 shootings
 • 3 killed

 

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Tip of the Day
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"Keep It Simple." What a phrase that we've all heard a million times and, quite frankly, most of us don't take it seriously enough. So many tend to over think and over do that, at times, we just don't get things done. Ken Blanchard said in one of his books that if you expect or even want perfection, you'll never get anything done. We all tend to over think and in our desire to do what's best, we can get lost in details and stand in the way of moving forward - most of which is as a result of just plainly not having enough confidence in one's self to just risk it and go for it. Hesitation is human nature and wanting to make sure you get things exactly perfect - well somebody's going to pass you by with the answer - that's simple, but brilliant. So keep it simple and have faith in the bird on your shoulder.

Just a Thought,
Gus
Gus Downing

 

 

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