Big Brand Tire & Service Eliminates After-Hours Break-Ins with Interface Virtual Perimeter Guard

AI-enabled perimeter monitoring eliminates overnight break-ins and cuts security activations by 65 percent

St. Louis, MO – January 13, 2026 – Interface Systems, a leading managed service provider delivering remote video monitoring, commercial security systems, business intelligence, and network services for multi-location enterprises, today announced that Big Brand Tire & Service, one of the nation’s fastest-growing independent tire and automotive service providers, has eliminated costly overnight break-ins and significantly reduced trespassing and vandalism at a high-risk location. The company achieved these results by deploying Interface Virtual Perimeter Guard, an AI-powered perimeter security solution designed to deter incidents before they occur.

Read more in today's Vendor Spotlight column below
 

Hedgie's Day 3 Dispatch & The Wrap-Up (Hedgie Style, Extra Sauce)

By Hedgie Bartol, LPQ, LPC

Day Three at NRF is where the caffeine gets stronger, the shoes get more uncomfortable, and everyone suddenly remembers they have flights to catch. It’s also the day when the truth starts slipping out. The sales pitches get shorter, the questions get sharper, and nobody has patience left for anything that smells like “a pitch.”

And for me, Day Three comes with a twist. I’m packing up, hopping on the subway, and heading straight to the LPRC Kick Off, because NRF is where we talk about what’s shiny… and LPRC is where we find out what actually works.

That’s a pretty good handoff.

Day Three: The “Alright, Show Me” Day

By now, nobody is impressed by:

• Big screens

• Bigger promises

• Or booths that look like a Vegas nightclub

So I’m trading the Javits Center for LPRC, swapping buzzwords for benchmarks, and chasing something far more valuable than hype: Results. Because in this business, flashy fades… but proof pays.
 

Combatting ORC Act Moves Forward in Congress
RILA Statement on House Judiciary Mark-Up on CORCA
The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) issued the following statement commending the House Judiciary Committee for passing the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA):

“Leading retailers commend the House Judiciary Committee for advancing the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act, a critical step toward protecting retail workers, supply chains, and communities from the ongoing threat of organized retail crime,” said Sarah Gilmore, RILA senior director, government affairs. “American consumers and businesses deserve to be protected from criminal networks engaged in gift card fraud, cargo theft and increasingly violent in-store ORC incidents. CORCA provides the tools necessary for coordinated action, ensuring that law enforcement and industry partners can stay ahead of these evolving threats.”

If enacted, CORCA will strengthen investigative resources, facilitate information sharing, and foster partnerships across federal, state, and local agencies. The retail community stands ready to work alongside policymakers, law enforcement, and other stakeholders to advance this essential legislation and protect businesses, workers, and consumers from the growing threat of organized retail crime.

"Advancing the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act out of the House Judiciary Committee is a vital move toward safeguarding retailers and our communities. We applaud Republican and Democratic lawmakers for prioritizing protecting consumers and we urge the full House to pass this bipartisan legislation," said Gilmore.

CORCA is sponsored by Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Susie Lee (D-NV), David Valadao (R-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Michael Baumgartner (R-WA), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Laurel Lee (R-FL), and Lou Correa (D-CA). The bill has strong bipartisan support with a total of 197 House co-sponsors.

Broad stakeholder support for CORCA was demonstrated last year when RILA joined a coalition of retailers, manufacturers, and industry associations in sending a letter to congressional leadership urging swift passage of the bill. This coalition effort underscores the widespread recognition that organized retail crime and cargo theft pose a serious threat to businesses, workers, and consumers nationwide. rila.org


Can New 'Just Walk Out' Lanes Help Reduce Theft?
Amazon's new portable Just Walk Out lanes bring checkout-free shopping to pop-up venues

Enhanced RFID lanes deploy in hours at events as the technology expands to hundreds of locations worldwide.

Amazon is announcing the next generation of our radio frequency identification (RFID) lanes that are portable and can be deployed in hours, not weeks—ideal for pop-up shops, festivals, and temporary retail locations. This builds on the RFID technology we pioneered in 2023 for merchandise: walk-through lanes that use RFID tags to automatically detect what customers are carrying, so they can simply grab items and walk out by tapping their card to pay.

The latest RFID lanes feature three enhancements that make checkout even faster and easier. In-lane screens with an intuitive user interface guide shoppers through the checkout process while displaying cart totals. Motorized gates automatically open and close for seamless traffic flow. Dynamic pre-authorization gives customers greater cart visibility to help ensure they know what they’re spending before completing their purchase. Previously, customers using RFID lanes had to push through manual gates and wait until after checkout to see their cart total—now these enhancements give customers greater cart visibility and automated guidance through the checkout process.

Amazon's Just Walk Out technology uses two approaches to eliminate checkout lines. Our computer vision systems excel at tracking every item interaction in real time, ideal for items with rigid shapes and packaging such as packaged snacks and beverages. These camera-based systems can detect when customers pick up, move, or put back items.

Using specialized readers to detect unique tags on merchandise, the updated RFID lanes leverage multiple antennas and smart algorithms that detect everything a customer is carrying. Each lane can handle up to six transactions per minute—making these lanes five to ten times faster than a traditional checkout. Built-in loss prevention also automatically detects unpaid items and closes exit gates when necessary, while ensuring paying customers never experience delays or false alarms. This accurate tracking capability helps retailers reduce theft while improving the customer experience. The updated RFID lanes have rolled out to 17 pilot locations in 2025—including a pop-up at the Camp Flog Gnaw music festival with Amazon Music selling artist merchandise and a store at the Circuit of the Americas racetrack operated by Proof of the Pudding selling concessions. aboutamazon.com


Will D.C. Address Cargo Theft 'Crisis'?
Federal Lawmakers Target Rising Cargo Theft Across Supply Chain
The transportation industry faces a rising problem with cargo theft, and it appears that the federal government is poised to do something about it.

A bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. Senate in 2025, along with a companion bill in the House, is designed to crack down on thefts. The chief points of the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) would create a federal database within the Department of Homeland Security and enhance penalties for supply chain theft.

The transportation industry obviously supports the legislation, which is working its way through the political process. American Trucking Associations CEO Chris Spear told a House Judiciary subcommittee in December that the “rapid rise” of cargo theft amounts to an “escalating crisis.”

The National Retail Federation has said that cargo thefts cost the industry about $35 billion a year. “This is money that belongs in consumers’ wallets, not criminals’ pockets,” Spear said.

The nonprofit American Transportation Research Institute released a theft report in October. The survey of motor carriers and logistics companies revealed that cargo theft costs carriers between $1.8 billion and $6.6 billion annually.

The news isn’t great for Arkansas, which ranks as the ninth-worst state for cargo theft for motor carriers, according to the ATRI. Cargo thefts are broken down into three generalized categories: straight, pilferage and strategic.    arkansasbusiness.com


Difference Between Flash Mob Theft & Typical Shoplifting
What police officers need to know about flash mob shoplifting

What FBI data shows about coordinated retail theft and how it differs from typical shoplifting

Flash mob shoplifting is often referenced in broader conversations about organized retail crime, but what qualifies as a flash mob — and how these incidents differ from more typical shoplifting cases — is not always clearly defined.

To address that gap, the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program analyzed five years of National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data, examining flash mob shoplifting incidents reported between 2020 and 2024. The report outlines how these incidents are identified, when and where they most often occur, and how they compare to non-flash mob shoplifting cases.

Here are five key findings from the FBI’s analysis:

1. Flash mob shoplifting is identified by specific criteria.
2. Flash mob shoplifting represents a small share of overall shoplifting.
3. Flash mob shoplifting incidents are more likely to involve additional offenses.
4. Flash mob shoplifting timing and locations show measurable patterns.
5. Clothing is the most frequently stolen item during flash mob shoplifting. police1.com


St. Louis saw lower crime in 2025, police say

D.C. inspector general opens investigation into alleged police crime data manipulation