Interesting note: A publication in India - Fibre2fashion news desk published the following article that the Daily reported some time ago. "Cabela’s sets up team to tackle organized retail crime" Cabela’s, a direct marketer and specialty retailer of outdoor wear, has constituted investigation teams to tackle organized retail crime (ORC) at its 38 stores across North America. The company decided to form a special team after it found that it is losing a substantial sum to ORC, and thus affecting its profitability. Outlining how ORC is affecting Cabela’s retail business, Mr. Brad Dykes, Director Asset Protection, Cabela's, told fibre2fashion, "The impact of ORC on retail chains is often underestimated. We have observed a demand in the gray/black markets for some of our product offerings. This demand gives rise to sophisticated criminal groups willing to target us to obtain these products by illegal theft and fraud activity. Informing about steps taken by Cabela’s to combat ORC, he says, "While we have targeted ORC for several years with in-store asset protection programs, we have in earnest initiated additional measures through our investigation team to collect information and develop more comprehensive approach to the identification, prevention and resolution of ORC targeting our business." Briefing further about the special investigation team, he avers, "This team is comprised of two primary functional groups. These groups support retail stores and e-commerce. The two groups collaborate with law enforcement and the retail industry to develop investigation resolutions that target the demand source for theft activity, more commonly known as a fence." (Source fibre2fashion.com)

Barber shop Quartet store selling stolen and counterfeit merchandise raided with $125,000 recovered in Prince George County, Md. "At Noveau Hair on New Hampshire Avenue, customers could get a bottle of Tide laundry detergent, a tube of toothpaste or even a pair of knock-off Dolce & Gabbana loafers with their haircut, authorities said." Julie Parker, a spokeswoman for the Prince George’s County police department, said officers seized $125,000 worth of either stolen or counterfeit merchandise when they raided the shop Wednesday and charged four employees who worked there." The raid, Parker said, was the culmination of a two-month investigation by the department’s organized retail crime unit, which works with storeowners in Prince George’s County to investigate and deter crime that affects business. Parker said a tip led detectives to the operation involving stolen goods at Noveau Hair. The investigation is ongoing, and it is possible others could be charged. (Source washingtonpost.com)

High Point, N.C. ORC ring busted hitting all the stores in the area including Walmart, Walgreens, CVS Pharmacy, Harris Teeter and Lowes Foods. "We call them boosters–basically professional shoplifters, for lack of a better term," Weisner said. "They will go out every day and steal product, and then they will take that product to the 'fenng involved shoplifting products and selling them on the black market. Arrest warrants are out for at least four more people. One of those was identified as Brittany Marie Allen, 25. Detective Chris Weisner said they know there were many other players involved, and their investigation is ongoing. "About $40,000 worth of stolen merchandise was seized in a shed owned by Garrard, Weisner said." Items seized included large amounts of laundry detergent, razor blades, shampoo and small power tools, police said. "We arrested people earlier who were bringing things in mesh bags. Other people have gone in and will take a pocketbook, line it with tin foil and duct tape it to the inside of their purse so that the metal detectors don’t go off at the door," Weisner said. (Source myfox8.com)