Did Dollar General Beat Its Shoplifting Surge?
Dollar General CFO says shoplifting problem is ‘well in our control’
Dollar General is one of the retailers that has grappled with “shrink,” an industry term that primarily defines theft from stores. But the company has been undertaking measures to address the issue, and CFO Kelly Dilts says those efforts are starting to produce some bright spots.

“Shrink,” more precisely, is a term retailers use for inventory loss often attributed to theft by shoppers and employees, or damage or errors. It’s estimated that retail businesses typically lose around 1.4% to 1.6% of their annual revenue to shrink.

Dollar General (No. 111 in the Fortune 500), has put forth ongoing efforts—most notably tearing out its self-checkout kiosks—to stem shrink. “The first thing that I’m excited about is both the shrink and damage lines are well in our control,” Dilts said in reference to gross margin during an earnings call on Thursday. She added: “It’s good to see that we have a positive trajectory right now, and we’re really already winning.” Dilts credited the improvement to the company’s Back-to-Basics strategy.

The retailer’s mitigation efforts drove a year-over-year shrink improvement of 68 basis points in Q4, she said. Improvements have continued through the early part of the first quarter, and “we anticipate this benefit should continue throughout 2025,” she noted.

That’s more upbeat than Dilts’ comments on a December 2023 earnings call: “Shrink has been pretty significant for us for a while, and it’s definitely going to carry into 2024.” In March 2024, the company reported that shrink was one of the factors that drove gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, down 138 basis points to 29.5% in Q4 of fiscal year 2023, compared to 30.9% in Q4 of fiscal year 2022.

A big part of the strategy to combat shrink was in the checkout aisle. After using an AI solution to analyze hundreds of thousands of purchases at self-checkout, Dollar General determined which stores had the highest levels of theft and mis-scanned items. That determined the company’s decision, led by CEO Todd Vasos, to eliminate the option of self-checkout in the vast majority of its stores. fortune.com


The Worldwide Retail Violence Trend
Retail Violence in Australia, UK, and USA: An Alarming Growing Concern

By Tony D'Onofrio - President, Sensormatic

Retail violence is becoming an alarming trend across Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, posing significant challenges for businesses, employees, and consumers alike. Reports indicate a sharp rise in incidents ranging from verbal abuse and shoplifting-related aggression to physical assaults on retail staff. This escalation is driven by multiple factors, including economic pressures, organized retail crime, and shifting societal attitudes toward theft and confrontation.

These trends were confirmed at the Sydney Retail Risk Conference after my "Disruptive Future of Retail" keynote delivery. The opening picture of this post is from that retailer engaging session. This is actually the exact moment in the presentation where I was describing to the Australian audience the retail violence trends in the United States and United Kingdom. The subsequent discussions with the local retailers inspired this new blog.

For consumers, the surge in retail violence has far-reaching consequences. Increased security measures, staff shortages due to safety concerns, and higher operational costs often translate to longer wait times, restricted store access, and rising prices. Moreover, the growing unpredictability of retail environments erodes shoppers' sense of safety, discouraging in-person visits and reshaping the retail landscape.

This article explores the trends behind rising retail violence in these three nations, examining the technology preferences in each of the countries. It concludes with some of my own thoughts on how we solve these growing and alarming retail crime problems.

   Click here to read Tony's full article


100+ New Bills to Crack Down on Crime - Including Retail Theft
Texas lawmakers are pushing harsher criminal penalties while prison and jail populations soar

Proposed legislation includes increased penalties for retail theft, car burglaries and forgery, among others.

Texas lawmakers are pushing more than 100 bills to clamp down on crime, threatening to overcrowd the state’s jails and prisons whose populations have continued to grow after dipping significantly during the pandemic.

Lawmakers have proposed at least 121 bills that seek to increase criminal penalties by either creating mandatory minimum sentences or by elevating punishment, according to the Texas District and County Attorneys Association. That nonprofit organization has also tracked 90 bills that would create new felonies and 96 bills that would create new misdemeanors.

Those figures only include bills filed through Monday and are expected to increase once they account for the hundreds of bills lawmakers have filed this week in advance of Friday’s bill filing deadline. Still, the estimates show the state’s growing push towards more punishment.

Proposals include bills to crack down on organized retail theft, impose prison time on people who burglarize vehicles more than once and ban the possession of AI-generated child pornography.

Some proposals would provide local law enforcement officers with more tools to crack down on threats from new technology, including artificial intelligence, while other legislation would do little to deter crime and could strain the state’s already overwrought prisons and jails, experts said.

Texas’ prison population is projected to increase by about 10% over the next five years, according to the Legislative Budget Board, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice continues to contend with a staffing shortage. texastribune.org


Fighting Liquor Theft with 'Buzz for Booze'
Supermarket's decision to keep booze behind cabinet divides shoppers
Morrisons' controversial ‘Buzz for Booze’ system has made its way to the supermarket’s Ripon branch, sparking mixed reactions from shoppers. The security measure requires customers to press a button and wait for staff assistance to unlock the alcohol cabinets containing prosecco and champagne.

The system, which has been gradually introduced in various Morrisons locations across the UK, aims to curb the growing issue of shoplifting. However, its introduction in Ripon has prompted a debate among customers, with some praising the initiative for increasing security while others complain about inconvenience and longer shopping times.

Ripon resident Sarah Collins said, “It’s a shame that stores have to do this, but theft is a real problem. If this helps keep prices down and stops thieves, then I’m all for it.”

The retailer is not alone in bringing in stricter security. Other major supermarkets, including Tesco and Sainsbury’s, have introduced their own deterrents, such as padlocked fridges and AI-monitored security cases for high-value alcohol products.

The measures come in response to a sharp rise in shoplifting incidents across the UK, with industry figures revealing theft-related losses of £1.8 billion last year. uk.news.yahoo.com


'Walmart Washes': A Creative Way to Punish Shoplifters
Judge wanted Walmart shoplifters to wash cars. His boss stepped on the hose
A Michigan judge has thrown cold water on a plan to have Walmart shoplifters wash cars as a consequence for their misdemeanor crime.

The unusual sentence came from Judge Jeffrey Clothier, who has been on the 67th District Court in Genesee County for only a few months. He said having shoplifters give free car washes would serve the community and possibly discourage other people from stealing from the big retailer.

But Chief Judge William Crawford II overruled him, saying the junior jurist first should have sought approval from him and other court officials.

“This is especially true where the proposed alternative punishment deviates from the usual and accepted methods,” Crawford said in a statement Friday, adding that “ ‘Walmart Washes’ will not be taking place as reported.” washingtonexaminer.com
 

Another Retail Theft Bill Put Forward
Wisconsin bill would strengthen penalties for property, retail theft
The bill would allow for multiple property thefts that occur in a six-month period to be added together as one crime. Property and retail thefts are charged based upon the items stolen starting with a property theft Class A misdemeanor for items worth less than $2,500 and retail theft for less than $500 up to a Class F felony if the property theft is more than $100,000 or a Class G felony if the retail theft is more than $10,000. washingtonexaminer.com


More Arrests, More Tech: Citrus Heights cracks down on retail theft

Omaha PD releases new official crime-reporting data indicating crime is down
 

Siffron's Sliding Clear Security Gate

Product security & visibility in one solution

Retail theft continues to rise. For some categories and locations, the only solution to prevent theft and protect merchandise is to restrict access. siffron's Sliding Security Gate with clear front allow retailers to convert their existing shelving systems into a locked case. This managed access solution requires store personnel to open and access products for customers while keeping it safe from potential shoplifters.

Mounting hardware is provided to secure the gates to standard Lozier or Madix shelving. Side panels are available to close off the ends and prevent side access, creating a secure system. This solution is available in wire grid or in clear glass gates.

A Growing Retail Crisis
Ransomware’s Impact on Retail

By the D&D Daily staff

Ransomware attacks are increasingly crippling the retail sector, halting operations, stealing customer data, and damaging reputations. As retailers rely on digital transactions and supply chains, they become prime targets for cybercriminals seeking financial gain.

How Ransomware Affects Retail

Ransomware encrypts a company’s data and demands a ransom for decryption. For retailers, this means:

• System Shutdowns – POS systems and e-commerce platforms can be locked, halting sales.

• Data Theft – Criminals steal sensitive customer information, leveraging "double extortion" tactics.

• Financial Losses – Beyond ransom payments, businesses face lost revenue, regulatory fines, and lawsuits.

• Reputational Damage – Customers lose trust in retailers that fail to protect their data.

Major Ransomware Attacks on Retailers

• Kaseya (2021) – A supply chain attack impacted over 1,500 businesses, shutting down retail operations.

• Spar Supermarkets (2021) – A ransomware attack forced hundreds of UK grocery stores to close.

• FatFace (2021) – The retailer paid $2 million after a data breach exposed customer and employee information.

Why Retailers Are Targets

1. High Transaction Volume – Downtime forces quick ransom payments.

2. Valuable Customer Data – Credit card and personal information attract cybercriminals.

3. Third-Party Weaknesses – Retailers rely on external vendors, increasing vulnerabilities.

4. Outdated Systems – Legacy technology lacks modern security defenses.

The Financial Toll

Ransomware imposes severe costs, including lost revenue, regulatory fines, legal expenses, and increased cybersecurity spending. Retailers often struggle to recover, with some businesses never reopening.

How Retailers Can Protect Themselves

• Regular Backups – Ensures data recovery without paying ransoms.

• Multi-Factor Authentication – Strengthens access controls.

• Employee Training – Helps staff recognize phishing attempts.

• Network Segmentation – Limits ransomware spread.

• Incident Response Plans – Enables quick, effective action in an attack.

The Road Ahead

Ransomware attacks will only become more advanced, making cybersecurity a necessity. Retailers must invest in protection, stay vigilant, and implement robust security measures to safeguard their operations and customer trust. The cost of inaction is too high.


'Cross-Industry Data Safety Standards'
Tech giants seek data standards amid AI push

Microsoft, IBM and Cisco are among the vendors backing the OASIS Data Provenance Standards Technical Committee announced last week.

Five technology vendors united behind adoption of cross-industry data safety standards Thursday. Cisco, IBM, Intel, Microsoft and Red Hat jointly sponsored the launch of the OASIS Data Provenance Standards Technical Committee, nonprofit organization OASIS Open said in an announcement.

The group will convene April 8 with the mandate to refine the data provenance standards codified by members of the Data and Trust Alliance and encourage widespread adoption.

American Express, Humana, IBM, Mastercard, Pfizer, UPS and Walmart were among the 19 D&TA affiliates that crafted version 1.0.0 of the standards, published in July 2024.

Data preparedness is an old problem that’s reached a new level of urgency, as data-hungry generative AI applications increase the pace and scale of data consumption. The road to AI adoption is strewn with privacy, compliance and integration hurdles that remain hard to steer around. cybersecuritydive.com


Medusa ransomware slams critical infrastructure organizations

SuperBlack ransomware used to exploit Fortinet vulnerabilities

Colombian migrant gang stole millions from Americans during cross-country jewel-heist spree: feds
A gang of Colombian migrants made off with millions of dollars worth of gems in heists in several states, funneling some of the booty to a Putnam Valley jewelry peddler who melted down and fenced the gold, federal prosecutors said this week. The “South American Theft Group” operated in Florida, Georgia, California and elsewhere targeting traveling jewelry salespeople, and stores, from September 2019 to August 2021, authorities said. Their biggest score came in February 2020, when they robbed as much as $2.6 million in merchandise from a traveling jewelry salesperson in Boynton Beach, FL, court records show. The year before, they nabbed $730,000 in jewelry during a September theft from a car in Boca Raton, FL, and $125,000 during a November robbery in Miami Beach. Portions of the stolen merchandise were unloaded to Mark Simon, a Westchester County resident who allegedly paid cut-rate prices in cash and often traveled to Florida to meet them in hotel rooms, prosecutors said. Simon, 56, allegedly paid just just $16,000 for some of the $1 million in baubles stolen in a Dalton, GA, burglary, according to prosecutors and court records. Simon was arrested Wednesday at his home in Jefferson Valley on the charges of conspiracy to launder monetary instruments and released on $50,000 bond, records show.  nypost.com


Santa Clara County, CA: "TJ Maxx Trio" retail theft suspects arrested in San Jose
Authorities in the South Bay this week announced the recent San Jose arrest of three retail theft suspects who earned the moniker "the TJ Maxx Trio" from the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department. The sheriff's department posted about the arrests on social media Thursday, saying that the "trio of repeat offenders was caught in the act hiding merchandise" at the Hillsdale Ave. TJ Maxx location in San Jose. The post noted that detectives followed the suspects to their vehicle and found multiple trash bags "filled with stolen clothing" from both TJ Maxx and Marshalls.  cbsnews.com


Suspect tracked down in theft of Lego sets at Walmart in The Villages
A suspect has been tracked down in the theft of Lego sets at Walmart at Buffalo Ridge Plaza in The Villages. Kevin Ronald Miller, 42, of Oxford, is facing a felony charge of theft following his arrest earlier this month by Sumter County sheriff’s deputies. Store personnel contacted law enforcement on Aug. 20 after Miller loaded multiple Lego sets into a shopping cart and headed for the store’s exit. When he reached the parking lot, he ran toward a black Chevy pickup. He got in the passenger side of the pickup and it drove away. Miller has a long history of theft. In January, he was arrested in connection with a theft at the Walmart in Summerfield. In 2024, Miller was arrested while police were investigating a theft at Rolling Acres Plaza in The Villages.  villages-news.com


Lodi, CA: Manhunt underway for Lodi suspects accused of $1,300 Ulta Beauty theft
The Lodi Police Department is asking for help to identify two suspects who allegedly stole more than $1,000 worth of merchandise from an Ulta Beauty store. On March 11, LPD said a male and female walked out of the Lodi Ulta Beauty with $1,300 in cosmetic items. The pair was caught on surveillance video, however, the police have yet to find them.  facebook.com


Sacramento County, CA: Two arrested for credit card scheme durng a retail theift operation by SCSO
Sacramento County Sheriff’s Detectives from the Organized Retail Theft Task Force managed an operation on Saturday at Target on Fulton Avenue in Arden-Arcade. SCSO said that they saw Xianquing Chen, 45, and Haining He, 31, after they arrived at the store together. In multiple transactions, Chen and He purchased gift cards using a cellular phone-based application. Chen attempted to use 42 separate banking cards and 32 of them were declined, according to SCSO. Chen continued to be successful at his transaction which made his total $855. Hanning tried to use 47 separate bank cards but 37 of them declined. He still was able to process the transactions with a total of $633.  fox40.com


Dayton, OH: Suspects use wheelchair to steal $2K worth of merchandise from mall