Global Security Solutions (GSS) Partners With Turnstile Security Systems to Bring Innovative Foot Traffic Control Systems to Retail

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. (March 10, 2025) - Global Security Solutions (GSS) and Turnstile Security Systems are joining forces to make it quicker and easier for retailers to deploy the latest in foot traffic control systems in their stores. The two companies will be launching an expanded offering of ramp and gate solutions, full-height entrance solutions, crowd control and asset protection systems in the North American market.

Read more in today's Vendor Spotlight column below
 

Survey Says: Theft is Pushing Shoppers Out of Stores
Is In-Store Theft Driving Customers Online?
A new survey found that about one-third of U.S. adults consider shoplifting and organized retail crime (ORC) to be either "very serious" or "extremely serious" problems in their cities, prompting more consumers to prefer shopping online.

When asked about their preferences for online shopping over in-store shopping given their concerns regarding shoplifting and organized crime, 31% indicated they "strongly prefer" and 27% "somewhat prefer" online shopping.

The survey showed healthy support for technological solutions to retail theft, with nearly half (45%) of respondents likely to support the use of technology to combat shoplifting and organized retail crime amid frustrations with some in-store security measures. The study showed that more than half of respondents said it took them more than five minutes to get the items they wanted in stores with locked merchandise.

A survey of over 5,000 U.S. consumers last fall from Numerator found consumers particularly irked at the increasing practice of locking up items to reduce in-store theft. Of the respondents, 61% were seeing more locked-up merchandise on a regular basis over the past year, with 27% indicating they would switch retailers or abandon the purchase altogether instead of waiting for assistance for a locked-up product. Only 53% of shoppers said they would wait for assistance if bath and body products are locked up, 56% for makeup and cosmetics, and 57% for personal hygiene products.

The survey found that shoppers most often see locked-up items in drug stores and mass retailers.

Another survey of 400 small to mid-size retailers taken in November 2023 from Software Advice, a software marketplace and advisory services firm owned by Gartner, found SMB retailers particularly being impacted by theft. Of the respondents, 34% reported a rise in shrink over the previous year, and 68% had shrink rates above the industry standard rate of 1.5% at the time.

The most common in-store loss prevention strategies used by SMB retailers, according to the survey, included installing security cameras (53%), arranging the store layout to deter theft (40%), utilizing inventory management software (39%), implementing security sensors (35%), and maintaining records of known shoplifters (34%). retailwire.com


California Logs Record-Breaking ORC Investigations in 2024
Retail theft crackdown in 2024 recovers $13.5 million in stolen goods

Governor Newsom announced that in 2024, the state recovered 676,227 stolen items worth more than $13.5 million. In January and February 2025 alone, officials seized 24,510 stolen goods worth an estimated $2.2 million.

Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that in 2024, the state's Organized Retail Crime Task Force conducted a record-breaking 879 investigations which led to 1,707 arrests and the recovery of 676,227 stolen goods valued at $13.5 million.

Spearheaded by the California Highway Patrol, the Organized Retail Crime Task Force in January and February 2025 focused on 136 retail theft investigations leading to 209 arrests while recovering 24,510 stolen items worth an estimated nearly $2.2 million.

Since the inception of this task force in 2019, the CHP has been involved in over 3,600 investigations, leading to the arrest of more than 4,000 suspects and the recovery of over 1.3 million stolen goods valued at nearly $54 million.

Governor Newsom this summer signed into law the most significant bipartisan legislation to crack down on property crime in modern California history. Building on the state's robust laws and record public safety funding, these bipartisan bills establish tough new penalties for repeat offenders, provide additional tools for felony prosecutions, and crack down on serial shoplifters, retail thieves, and auto burglars.

During the holiday season, the CHP conducted proactive and confidential law enforcement operations with allied agencies - keeping more shoppers, merchants, and retail districts safe. gov.ca.gov


ORC Hub Busted as Part of LA Crime-Fighting Efforts
Crime in one hotspot has reduced by 42% over the last few months

LA city leaders say crime fighting efforts in MacArthur Park are paying off
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell said overall crime in the MacArthur Park area has reduced by 42% over the last few months, as the department has increased enforcement efforts and expanded outreach initiatives.

"While our work is not done, clearly, a lot has been accomplished in a relatively short period of time," he said.

McDonnell also noted that on March 6, the department busted a hub for stolen goods, a store receiving and selling stolen merchandise, which was tied to organized retail theft.

These efforts are part of a larger crackdown on stolen goods being funneled through MacArthur Park and along the Alvarado corridor, involving a criminal network that has been the primary driver of violent crime in the park and surrounding areas, he said.

Mayor Karen Bass said newly installed fencing along the east side, at Alvarado Street, has disrupted illicit activity in the area.

"Many of those vending stands provided an open-air market for illegal activity," she said. She ordered the fencing to be installed after a Westlake District shooting, near the park, where six people were injured in January. cbsnews.com


Lawmakers Need to 'Step Up Enforcement' on Cargo Theft
Cargo theft reaching record levels, prompting calls for congressional action

"In my 25 years in the supply chain, I've never seen cargo theft this prevalent," Robert Howell, chief supply chain officer at Academy Sports and Outdoors, said.

Trucking, railroad and shipper representatives raised the alarm about the rise of cargo theft affecting U.S. supply chains during a congressional hearing. Leaders from BNSF, the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, Tanager Logistics and Academy Sports and Outdoors urged lawmakers to step up enforcement during a Senate subcommittee hearing on Feb. 27.

Broker fraud, shipment interception and other forms of cargo theft are costing supply chains up to $35 billion annually, multiple speakers said, citing data from the federal Homeland Security Investigations agency.

Those crimes are contributing to higher consumer costs - and threatening some carriers' livelihoods.

"Since I began my testimony, a small business trucker has likely fallen prey to fraud that could jeopardize their entire business," OOIDA EVP Lewie Pugh said. "That's how commonplace freight fraud is becoming in trucking."

Much of the crime is committed by repeat offenders, and only one in 10 results in an arrest, Sen. Todd Young said, citing the American Trucking Associations. retaildive.com


Canada's Battle Against ORC
Canada: BC Budget Tackles Crime - But Retail Expects More
The BC budget, released on March 4, 2025, includes two actions in response to RCC's advocacy-though funding to combat organized retail crime remains insufficient.

The government is committing $67 million over three years to community safety, including a new targeted enforcement pilot aimed at reducing robbery, theft, and property crime in downtowns and commercial areas. Additionally, funding for police training will increase, expanding annual capacity from 192 to 288 officers. This is important because police agencies regularly advise RCC that the number of new officers trained is an obstacle to having more police officers on the street.

RCC will meet with BC Minister of Public Safety Garry Begg this week to push for stronger action on retail crime.

Stay ahead of the conversation! Attend RCC's Retail Secure Conference on March 19, 2025 in Toronto to explore industry-led solutions. retailcouncil.org


'Connect the dots': Jackson County, Mo. prosecutor expands Crime Strategies Unit

What the data says about gun deaths in the U.S.
 

Washington, DC: Update: Ex-Walgreens manager admits to helping plan robberies, asking to be assaulted to make them look more real
A group of people behind a conspiracy to repeatedly rob a drug store in Chinatown have pleaded guilty. Two of the robbers were employed as managers when the robberies occurred. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia, 34-year-old Michael Robinson and 25-year-old Kemanye Williams pleaded guilty Tuesday to the string of robberies. Their co-conspirators, 27-year-old Gianni Robinson and 21-year-old London Teeter, pleaded guilty in February. Robinson and Teeter were working as Walgreens managers when the Chinatown drugstore was robbed seven times between July 2023 and February 2024. In total, the group admitted to stealing and splitting at least $28,983. According to court documents, the group planned to carry out armed robberies at the Walgreens store nearly once a month. Each robbery was planned to happen during the times Robinson or Teeter were working since the two were aware of the timing of cash transfers within the store. In each of the robberies, police say a masked gunman walked into the store and forced an employee into the manager's office or accessed the office using a code, reportedly provided by Teeter or Robinson. After getting the money, the gunman would leave through a back exit.  wusa9.com


Albuquerque, NM: Albuquerque Police arrest man accused of shoplifting over $8,000 in merchandise; 23 incidents
Albuquerque police arrested 44-year-old Mark Burchett, accused in nearly two dozen cases of shoplifting. Police say Burchett is connected to 23 shoplifting instances at two stores, totaling more than $8,000 worth of stolen merchandise. Police say they identified Burchett based on a theft pattern and the type of stolen items. Police say he was trying to sell those items on Facebook marketplace. Burchett is now facing multiple counts of felony shoplifting and conspiracy to commit a felony.  aol.com


Petaluma, CA: 3 suspected in Nike store thefts arrested after North Bay pursuit
Three people linked to retail thefts at Nike stores, including two juveniles, were arrested following a pursuit in the North Bay over the weekend, authorities said. According to Petaluma Police, officers were called to the Nike Store at the Petaluma Village Premium Outlets shortly after 4 p.m. Saturday. Employees told police that a man grabbed armfuls of merchandise valued at over $950. The suspect fled in a waiting vehicle, described as a silver Ford F-150 pickup, before police arrived. The pursuit ended three miles later, on southbound 101 past Ignacio Blvd. All three people inside the vehicle were detained and evidence of the theft was located. An investigation revealed additional evidence of thefts from Nike stores in Napa and Vacaville. Officers were able to recover $3,000 worth of merchandise in total.  cbsnews.com


Oklahoma City, OK: Update: 3 people identified in 5k merchandise investigation

Countryside, IL: $4,672 in cosmetics stolen from Countryside Jewel

Los Gatos, CA: $1,600 Worth Of Deodorant Stolen From Los Gatos Grocery Store