RETAIL FRAUD CONFERENCE REACHES NINTH YEAR

According to the Centre for Retail Research*, the cost of retail crime is escalating and shrinkage (stock loss caused by crime, waste and error) rose to 1.37% of sales in 2011 compared to 1.29% in 2010. Again, customer theft was the highest cause of shrinkage equating to £2146 million with employee theft amounting to £1765 million.

To combat fraud, retailers are committed to investing in new technologies and solutions and spent £1019 million on security and loss prevention in 2011. In order to source the very best security and loss prevention solutions, the Retail Fraud Conference remains the must-attend event for the industry. As the largest retail fraud and loss prevention conference in Europe, the Retail Fraud Conference remains the definitive event for showcasing the latest developments in reducing retail fraud, attracting the very best vendors, speakers and retail delegates. Last year’s conference attracted over 550 delegates including 391 retailers.

Now in its ninth year, the Retail Fraud Conference will take place on 19 April at the Novotel in London. The show will be opened by the Minister for Crime Prevention, Lord Henley, and the speaker programme will have an international flavour with representatives from Sears and Printemps. In addition, there will be speakers from River Island, Iceland, CIFAS, FaceWatch.

Exhibition organiser, Paul Bessant of Retail-Knowledge said: "Along with our sister conference, Retail Fraud on the Road, the Retail Fraud Conference continues to bring together top-end speakers and exhibitors, showcasing their expertise to an industry that recognises the need for the very latest in solutions for the prevention of retail fraud particularly at a time when it is on the increase."

The exhibition will feature companies specialising in: technology solutions including data mining & business intelligence, personnel training, identity theft, biometrics plus the latest developments in store alarms, tagging, security personnel, EAS solutions, covert and traditional CCTV; online fraud including cardholder not present (CNP) fraud prevention, online and multi channel fraud, address verification, phishing, account take over including best practise on no go countries and areas; and loss prevention strategy featuring a choice of four extended and in depth sessions covering the hottest topics within Retail Fraud and Loss Prevention. Exhibitors will include WEDO Technologies, Tellermate, Transactis, B2B and Box Technologies.

* (Source: Global Retail Theft Barometer 2011) and supplementary research.

Retail Knowledge offers insight and intelligence for the retail fraud industry through the Retail Fraud Conference: Retail Fraud On the Road; online magazine - www.retailfraud.com and discussion forum - retailfraudnetwork.com

For more information, please contact Alyson Hudson on 0795 875 7348 or email hudsonaly6@googlemail.com