AI Shoplifter-Spotter Installed in 6K Stores, 25 Countries
US shoplifting ‘epidemic’ sparks demand for French AI cameras

Veesion's AI promises to help retail stores crackdown on crime

Paris-based AI startup Veesion has secured €38mn to fuel expansion to the US — where it looks to help cure the country’s shoplifting “epidemic.”

Veesion’s AI-based computer vision software is trained to spot gestures in security camera feeds, such as a shopper putting an item in their pocket. If it sees something suspicious, the AI pings the store owner or security guard via an app, where it displays a recording of the activity. The user then makes the final judgment on whether the situation qualifies as theft.

The software comes in a small box that plugs into a shop’s existing CCTV system. To protect privacy, the system only registers human movements, not identifying information like a person’s face or clothing, the company said.

Founded in 2018, Veesion’s AI shoplifter-spotter is already installed in over 6,000 stores in 25 countries, including France, the UK, Brazil and the US, where it is now looking to expand.

However, spotting the crime is just one part of the puzzle — confronting shoplifters is another. According to the same BRC survey, violence and abuse against UK shop workers rose by 50% in 2023, with more than 2,000 such incidents recorded on average per day. In both the UK and the US, enforcement against shoplifters is free-falling.

As retailers struggle to keep pace with rising theft, some are turning to technology for support. While Veesion’s AI doesn’t promise to solve shoplifting outright, it might give store owners better tools to detect it and decide how to respond.

Looking ahead, Vession hopes to use its computer vision technology to spot other issues in retail stores, such as falling or slipping risks. It’s also considering expanding to other sectors like manufacturing and healthcare. thenextweb.com


37% of UK Supermarket Shoppers Steal via Self-Checkout
People urged to 'tell' on self-scan shoplifters as 37% now do it
Security experts are urging shoppers to inform staff if they see someone not scanning an item at self-checkouts, as the trend is costing the industry more than £4billion a year. Nearly two in five shoppers intentionally steal from self-checkouts, according to survey, costing retailers more than 4% of their total retail sales.

Kingdom Security which partners with several of the country’s top retailers and supermarkets, has said the ‘scan and swipe’ phenomenon hitting stores has become a part of normalised behaviour for many since the pandemic.

New data from The Grocer found 37% of supermarket shoppers deliberately fail to scan at least one item while using self-service checks. The nationwide poll of 1,000 Brits also saw 32.5% admit to incorrectly weighing loose items to lower their bill.

John Nussbaum, Director of Service at Kingdom Security’s Retail Division, said: “It’s alarming to see this rise over the past years and our officers are only seeing more and more theft in supermarkets and shopping centres across the country. While some might think this is somehow a lesser offence than outright stealing without paying for a thing, stealing from a machine is still stealing from the store, and ultimately stealing from fellow customers through increased costs.

“The reduction of face-to-face contact at checkouts has made some feel emboldened to shoplift in this way. We’re urging vigilance to all supermarket shoppers. If you see shoplifting at a self-service checkout, immediately report it to instore security or staff. If you are tempted to steal at self-checkouts, remember this is a serious offence that isn’t worth doing to save a few pounds.”

Shoplifting adds UK households over £137 to shoppers’ annual food bill, according to the Police Foundation’s forecast in line with inflation. Much of this cost comes from retailers investing in anti-theft protection and security devices to prevent the £4 billion in lost revenue each year. uk.news.yahoo.com


U.S. Cargo Theft Hits 'Unprecedented Levels'
Cargo Theft Risk Reaches All-Time Highs as Memorial Day Weekend Approaches, CargoNet Analysis Shows
As Memorial Day weekend approaches, cargo theft activity across the United States has surged to unprecedented levels, with reported incidents in 2025 already reaching alarming rates that far exceed historical averages. Analysis of holiday-period theft data from the past five years reveals a concerning pattern that suggests heightened risk during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

"Our data shows that holiday weekends consistently create perfect opportunities for cargo thieves," says Keith Lewis, Vice President of Operations at CargoNet. "The days immediately following Memorial Day have historically seen elevated theft activity, likely because loaded trailers are often left unattended while businesses close for the holiday."

CargoNet's analysis of 159 theft events occurring between the Thursday before Memorial Day and the Wednesday after Memorial Day over the past five years shows a troubling upward trend. While 2020 recorded 35 incidents and 2021 saw 28, the numbers climbed significantly in recent years with 41 events in 2023 and 39 in 2024.

"This steady increase mirrors the overall surge in cargo theft we've observed throughout the supply chain," explains Lewis. "What's particularly concerning is that 2025 has already shattered previous records, with our analysts now processing an average of 338 theft reports monthly compared to our historical average of 136 reports per month from 2013 through October 2022, before the current crime wave began."

California, Texas, and Florida remain the most targeted states for cargo theft during the Memorial Day period. At the county level, San Bernardino County and Los Angeles County in California, along with Dallas County in Texas, have experienced the highest concentration of Memorial Day holiday theft events over the five-year analysis period. cargonet.com

45% of Shoplifters in Windsor, Canada are Repeat Offenders
Windsor police say a new strategy is curbing store thefts

Nearly 200 arrests made since start of initiative, police say

Windsor police say a new strategy is helping them curb theft at local stores, resulting in nearly 200 arrests in under a year. The Windsor Police Service on Tuesday announced that the retail theft initiative, launched last July in response to "an increase in shoplifting incidents over recent years," has led to 192 arrests.

WPS says it has also cleared more cases since the project started, solving "528 shoplifting-related incidents," which the force said was a 34 per cent increase compared to the year before. "So far in 2025, the number of shoplifting incidents reported to police has dropped 33 per cent over the same time last year," the press release said.

"We recognize that retail theft has a tremendous impact on businesses and often leads to increased prices for customers and even violence against employees," Jason Crowley, Windsor police's deputy chief of operations, was quoted as saying in the release.

"Through this initiative, we are strategically aligning our resources to improve clearance rates and more effectively target the repeat offenders responsible for a disproportionate number of these crimes," he said.

The force said that nearly 45 per cent of those charged in the shoplifting cases were repeat offenders. cbc.ca


   RELATED: 'Huge success': Nearly 200 arrests as Windsor cops combat shoplifting


140 Days, 114 Mass Shootings So Far in 2025
There have been 114 American mass shootings in 34 different states (and Washington D.C.) in the 140 days of 2025.

Letters for May 21: Retail theft affects everyone and should be prosecuted
 

Execs Walking On Egg Shells Over Tariffs
C.E.O.s Hold Their Tongues to Avoid Attracting Trump’s Anger

Public companies are obligated to tell investors how tariffs could affect corporate financial results. But some are trying to do it with euphemisms to avoid the president’s anger.

For chief executives, speaking in public has become a tightrope walk. Say the wrong word and it might tick off the White House.

As companies start to feel the impact of President Trump’s tariffs, especially the 30 percent tax on Chinese goods, they have a responsibility to tell their investors how they will deal with the higher costs. For many companies, that means raising prices.

But Mr. Trump, who insists that other countries are paying the tariffs, doesn’t want to hear that. So executives are speaking even more delicately than usual, including on the perfunctory quarterly earnings calls that are normally of interest only to Wall Street.

Since Mr. Trump’s first term, corporate leaders have been wary of the president’s habit of taking to social media and singling out companies and executives that he feels are working against his economic or political agenda.

Mr. Trump’s second term has brought a new intensity to the situation, according to crisis communication experts and consultants who work closely with chief executives. Mattel, Ford Motor, Amazon and Apple’s chief executive, Tim Cook, have faced his ire in recent weeks.

“Companies have got to reconcile with the fact that politics has penetrated nearly every element of their business and to bake those considerations in to prepare your C.E.O.s,” said Brett Bruen, president of the Global Situation Room, a consulting firm based in Washington.  nytimes.com

   RELATED: What Tactics Beyond Price Hikes Can Mitigate Tariffs?


Targeting High-Injury Companies
OSHA Updates Inspection Program

The agency will look at companies that have the highest injury rates.

On May, 19, OSHA announced it has updated the inspection program that directs agency enforcement resources to establishments with the highest rates of injuries and illnesses based on injury and illness data submitted in accordance with OSHA’s recordkeeping requirements.

The Site-Specific Targeting program is OSHA’s primary planned inspection program for non-construction establishments with 20 or more employees.

Using OSHA Form 300A data from calendar years 2021-2023, establishments may be selected for inspection based on:

– High injury and illness rates from 2023 data.

– Upwardly trending injury and illness rates based on 2021-2023 data at or above twice the 2022 private sector average.

– Injury and illness rates markedly below industry averages.

– Failure to submit an OSHA Form 300A in 2023.

The new directive replaces the previous SST program directive issued on February 7, 2023. OSHA also uses national and local emphasis programs to target high-risk industries and hazards. Learn more about these emphasis programs.

OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program provides free, confidential occupational safety and health services to help small- and medium-sized businesses identify workplace hazards, comply with OSHA standards, and establish and improve safety and health programs. ehstoday.com
 

Target's Woes Continue
Target’s Q1 earnings disappoint amid battle with tariffs, consumer backlash

The mass retailer lowered its guidance for the full year, announced the departure of multiple executives and launched a new strategic office in an effort to combat sales declines.

Facing new tariff rates and negative consumer reaction to DEI initiative changes, Target’s first-quarter merchandise sales dropped about 3.1% year over year to $23.4 billion, according to a company press release Wednesday. Net sales decreased 2.8% to $23.8 billion and operating income increased 13.6% to $1.5 billion.

The retailer’s comps dropped 3.8% in Q1, with comparable store sales down 5.7% and digital sales up 4.7%. Target updated its guidance for the full year, now expecting a low-single-digit decline in sales, instead of its previously predicted growth of around 1%.

Target also announced executive team changes and the creation of “a multi-year Enterprise Acceleration Office,” which is intended to “drive even greater speed and agility” at the company. Chief Operating Officer Michael Fiddelke will oversee the effort. Chief Strategy and Growth Officer Christina Hennington, once considered a potential successor to CEO Brian Cornell, and Chief Legal and Compliance Officer Amy Tu will depart the retailer over the coming months. retaildive.com

   RELATED: Target Warns of Potential Price Hikes After First-Quarter Sales Decline


Tariffs Prompt More Price Hikes
Nike will raise prices on a wide range of products as soon as this week

Nike will raise prices on a range of items as soon as this week, as retailers brace for tariffs to hit their profits.

Nike will raise prices on a wide range of footwear, apparel and equipment as soon as this week as the retail industry braces for tariffs to hit its profits, CNBC has learned.

Prices for Nike apparel and equipment for adults will increase between $2 and $10, a person familiar with the matter said. Footwear priced between $100 and $150 will see a hike of $5, while sneakers priced above $150 will see a $10 increase, the person said.

The price hikes will be in effect by June 1, but could be seen on shelves as soon as this week, the person said. The increases cover a large portion of Nike’s assortment, but many products will remain the same price. cnbc.com

 
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