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March Networks CloudSight: The Industry's First Camera-to-Cloud Solution with Real-Time AI Analytics and Business Intelligence

A simple, flexible, cloud solution for small and medium-sized businesses

Long Beach, USA -- March Networks®, a global leader in intelligent video solutions, recently announced the launch of a new subscription-based video solution called March Networks CloudSight. The cloud-based service is tailored to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) and quick service restaurants (QSRs). March Networks CloudSight delivers a seamless direct camera-to-cloud video experience and is fully integrated and operational with Searchlight Cloud, the company's advanced AI-based data analytics and business intelligence platform. By combining the insights generated from AI-based video analytics and data from other sources such as POS systems and other IoT devices, business operators can now get a complete view of their operations, for both enhanced security and strategic decision-making.

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Target's 'New Approach' Cleaned Up Crime-Plagued Store
How Target worked with Sacramento police to address crime-ridden store
Neighbors in Sacramento's Land Park say that in the battle over retail theft statewide, law enforcement officials and retail giant Target have worked to clean up a store location on Riverside Boulevard that had become overwhelmed by crime.

It was so bad that CBS13 has learned Sacramento's city attorney's office even drafted a letter warning about a charge of a nuisance violation against Target. The letter was never sent. Since then, there's been a change.

"It told me that a year ago, Target was really not doing their due diligence to crack down on crime," Land park activist Stephanie Duncan said. "I mean, literally, people were pushing carts full of items out the emergency exit door, and the security guards were just closing the door and walking away."

Now, Duncan said Target has taken a new approach. As first reported by the Sacramento Bee and confirmed by city hall sources, the city attorney's office crafted a draft letter that was not sent, warning about nuisance action against Target.

Corporate management then worked with Sacramento city leaders and police on theft mitigation by adding security, lighting, and locking down merchandise.

"I hope they continue on that trajectory because I've seen what happens when they don't," Duncan said.

Sacramento Councilmember Rick Jennings issued a statement that said, in part: "Target's acknowledgment of the problems and ongoing efforts to enhance both the customer and neighboring community experience are greatly appreciated."

As state lawmakers haggle over crime laws and Prop 47 reforms, threats of nuisance letters from cities and police jurisdictions have also become part of the public debate. The issue came up in a Retail Theft Committee Hearing in December. cbsnews.com
 

Another State Grapples with ORC Surge
Texas lawmakers briefed on growing problem of organized retail theft

"We saw pictures of warehouses full of stolen goods," State Rep. Chris Turner said.

State lawmakers were briefed on Tuesday on efforts to stop what officials call a growing problem in Texas: organized retail theft. The state launched a task force to tackle the issue after the passage of House Bill 1826 by State Rep. Chris Turner (D-Grand Prairie) in 2023.

“We saw pictures of warehouses full of stolen goods,” Turner said. Turner said organized crime rings are stealing, and often reselling, high-value goods.

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said while the Lone Star State has seen fewer incidents of organized retail theft than other states, it’s not immune. During an interim hearing on Tuesday, Turner told the Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee organized retail theft often crosses city and county limits, making it tough to track and prosecute.

This Organized Retail Theft Task Force, run by the Comptroller’s Office, aims to get everyone on the same page. The 10-member task force includes law enforcement officials, a researcher specializing in organized retail theft and loss prevention officials from H-E-B, Amazon, Target and other big companies.

Associate Deputy Comptroller Korry Castillo testified on Tuesday, saying that the task force has hosted three meetings and five site visits so far, with more planned in the fall, plus conversations with outside speakers to broaden the group’s perspective. Castillo said one challenge has been getting good data. kvue.com


Canada Making Progress in Retail Crime Fight?
Winnipeg retail crime initiative extended thanks to funding from province
The city and province say they will continue to crack down on increased crime in Winnipeg, after the initial success of the Violent Crime and Retail Theft (VCRT) initiative.

The project will be extended through the summer, Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said Wednesday, with an additional $1.1 million in provincial funds earmarked for the project.

After four weeks of increased patrols in Osborne Village, the Exchange District, and the West End, police say the program has led to a total of 203 arrests over more than 2,000 engagements, as well as the recovery of approximately $9,000 in stolen items.

The funding comes on the heels of Tuesday’s announcement of $1.5 million in provincial dollars for the downtown community safety action plan.

Winnipeg police Insp. Eric Luke, central district commander, said the initiative has been a positive one not only for the community, but within the police service itself.

The new $1.1 million from the province includes funding for additional general patrol units to focus on areas of repeat crime and targeted retail theft, the province said, as well as engagement with business organizations and leaders with the goal of improving safety.

In a statement Wednesday, business owner Brian Scharfstein said the increased police involvement is beginning to alter people’s views on the downtown. globalnews.ca


Robberies Fall 31% in D.C.
DC police chief asks small business owners to help stop crime
During the roughly 40-minute talk, both Smith and Metro Transit Chief Michael Anzallo spoke of how the crime rates have dropped during this calendar year.

Smith said, to date, the Metropolitan Police Department has nearly 40,000 cameras that are connected to the Real Time Crime Center through CameraConnect D.C.

“We are asking you, your partners, your business, please connect your cameras to our Real Time Crime Center,” Smith said. “If you have business, mom-and-pop stores, we really want to use your cameras.”

Smith also spoke of the crime drop that the District has seen since January.

“We’ve had a 30% reduction in violent crime, 31% reduction in robberies. We’ve seen a very, very good decrease in carjackings at 47%,” Smith said. “We know we still have work to do, but we have to keep pushing.” wtop.com


Springfield Police Dept. (Oregon) vows to crackdown on retail theft following Lego bust

Times Square chaos sees 3 slashed, 1 pepper-sprayed & bitten in just 4 hours: cops

These are the telltale signs the FBI says to watch for to prevent mass shootings
 

Store Closures Plummet in 2024
Over 1,300 US Stores Are Set To Close This Year
According to a recent Business Insider compilation of reports from nine retail chains, over 1,330 stores across the U.S. have either closed or are scheduled to close in 2024. This figure represents a significant drop from previous years. For instance, over 2,800 stores closed last year, largely due to the downfall of Bed Bath & Beyond.

Over the next five years, as many as 45,000 retail stores in the U.S. could close, according to UBS analysts. This wave of closures will primarily affect smaller businesses, even as major retailers such as Walmart, Costco, Target, and Home Depot continue to expand.

Leading the list of store closures this year is Family Dollar, owned by Dollar Tree, which plans to shut down at least 600 stores, with additional closures anticipated as leases come to an end.

Numerous companies are struggling financially, with Express and Foxtrot among them. On the flip side, though Walmart and TJX have some closures, they are set to open more locations than they shut down. At the same time, retailers such as Foot Locker and Macy’s are revamping their strategies to keep up with evolving consumer behavior.

Other store closures this year include CVS Health, a staple in the pharmacy and healthcare sector, which is set to close 300 stores as part of its strategic realignment efforts. Foot Locker, a popular destination for athletic footwear and apparel, will be closing 113 stores, while Express, known for its trendy fashion offerings, plans to shut down 107 locations. retailwire.com


Will Merger Trigger Hundreds of Store Closures?
Kroger-Albertsons Merger Threatens Hundreds of Stores Nationwide

A proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons threatens the existence of hundreds of stores nationwide.

Back in April, it was announced that for $2.9 billion, the two businesses intend to sell C&S Wholesale Grocers a total of 579 locations in overlapping markets. The initial plan was to sell 413 outlets for $1.9 billion, but this is an increase.

Now, Kroger has revealed the list of stores affected by the divestiture.

According to NBC San Diego, nearly a dozen stores in the area are threatened by the proposed merger, most of them under the Vons label. In total, 63 locations in California would be affected by the merger.

Alaska’s stores, too, could be negatively impacted by the merger, with more than 18 Carrs-Safeway stores (which are also under the umbrella) divested under the proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons, according to Alaska’s News Source.

In Washington state, 124 stores would be affected, per The Seattle Times. Eight stores in the greater Chicago area would also be sold, according to Block Club Chicago.  retailwire.com


Most Back-to-School Shoppers Will Shop In-Store
Nearly three-quarters of US Back-to-School consumers will shop in-store, according to Sensormatic Solutions annual survey

Security, price and sustainability remain key factors for back-to-school shoppers.

NEUHAUSEN, Switzerland, July 10, 2024 – Sensormatic Solutions, the leading global retail solutions portfolio of Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), released its 2024 U.S. Back-to-School Consumer Sentiment Survey, revealing that customers continue to prioritize in-store shopping for the coming school year. The annual survey revealed that 74% of consumers plan to conduct their back-to-school shopping in-store, remaining the top choice for shoppers year-over-year. Additionally, 43% of shoppers say they’ll utilize “buy online, pick up in-store” (BOPIS) for back-to-school purchases (compared to 34% in 2023) and 25% say they’ll utilize curbside pickup (compared to 19% in 2023).

This year’s back-to-school shoppers planned to start early, with 18% saying they intended to start shopping in June (an increase from 11% in 2023). However, August is still expected to be the busiest month for back-to-school shopping in the U.S., according to the organization’s traffic insights. sensormatic.com


Dyson to cut up to one third of its UK workforce
Vacuum cleaner maker Dyson is reportedly planning to cut around 1,000 jobs, nearly one third of its UK workforce

7-Eleven’s free Slurpee Day has arrived — here’s how to get the frozen favorite

Macy’s first-ever ‘All-Star Week’ eight-day sales event to take on Amazon
 

Senior LP & AP Jobs Market

Dir. of Risk Management, LP, Safety & Quality job posted for Goodwill Industries Of Central Florida Inc in Orlando, FL
Under the supervision of the Chief Operating Officer, responsible for all quality standards in the organization including safety, loss prevention, workers compensation, operational standards, and risk management. Major duties include the performance of analysis, assessment, and training for all quality practices including safety, risk management, loss prevention, workers compensation insurance, accident prevention, merchandising, and production. indeed.com