Breaking Down Operational Silos
Cross-Functional Partnerships Are Reshaping Retail Loss Prevention

By the D&D Daily staff

Loss prevention has traditionally been viewed as a standalone function focused on reducing shrink, investigating incidents and protecting company assets. Today, however, many retailers are expanding the role of loss prevention by strengthening partnerships across departments to address operational challenges more effectively.

Rather than working independently, loss prevention teams are increasingly collaborating with operations, human resources, information technology, facilities, merchandising and supply chain leaders. This cross-functional approach allows organizations to identify risks earlier, respond more efficiently and improve overall store performance.

For example, recurring inventory discrepancies may point to training opportunities for store associates, receiving process improvements or technology issues that require IT support. Safety concerns identified during store visits may be addressed more quickly when facilities teams are involved early. Likewise, close coordination with human resources can help ensure workplace policies, training programs and employee engagement initiatives support a safer, more consistent operating environment.

Sharing data across departments has also become more common. Rather than reviewing shrink, safety, maintenance and operational metrics separately, many retailers are bringing those insights together to identify broader trends that may not be apparent when each function operates independently. This integrated view can help organizations prioritize resources and make more informed business decisions.

Cross-functional collaboration also improves communication during periods of change, such as store remodels, technology deployments, seasonal staffing increases or new process rollouts. Involving multiple stakeholders during planning and implementation can reduce disruptions while ensuring operational risks are considered from the outset.

Many retailers are also establishing regular meetings between department leaders to review performance metrics, discuss emerging issues and coordinate improvement initiatives. These ongoing conversations help build stronger relationships while creating shared accountability for operational excellence.

As retail environments become more complex, the challenges facing organizations rarely fit neatly within a single department. By fostering stronger collaboration across business functions, retailers can improve decision-making, strengthen operational resilience and create more consistent experiences for both employees and customers.

While reducing losses remains a core responsibility, today's loss prevention professionals are increasingly serving as strategic partners who help connect departments, share insights and support broader business objectives across the organization.

 
First-Ever AI Job Loss Tracker
Gov. Gavin Newsom releases first-in-the-nation tool to track AI-related job losses

The initial report showed an uptick in claims in the tech industry and in the Bay Area, but no statewide surge

As the artificial intelligence industry continues to grow, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday announced a first-in-the-nation tracker to monitor AI-related job losses, with the initial released data showing no statewide surge in unemployment in at-risk fields.

The tool stems from a May executive order by Newsom to prepare California for “economic disruption” as artificial intelligence continues to take hold, and directed leaders to explore policies to help the state respond to growing labor concerns. It was developed in conjunction with the University of California’s California Policy Lab.

“California has always been a place that embraces innovation while taking seriously the responsibility that comes with it,” Newsom said in a news release announcing the tracker. “We’re shaping the future — and charting the course for the nation. As AI advances, we aren’t just watching from the sidelines; we’re reimagining how we prepare California through strong governance and innovative policy.”

The dashboard will be updated on a monthly basis and Newsom’s office said that it will allow the state to identify what interventions are needed, such as job-search support, health-coverage assistance and other training resources. mercurynews.com


Retailers Roll Out 'Quiet Hours'
As Sephora Rolls Out ‘Quiet Hours,’ Will the Idea Gain Even Wider Traction With Retailers?
In a move designed to improve inclusivity and provide a more comfortable shopping experience — and apparently give store associates a bit of a breather — beauty retailer Sephora has announced the implementation of quiet hours in its stores across the globe. The initiative was developed following consultation with Open Inclusion, Purposeful Futures, internal employee resource groups, and the broader neurodiversity community, per a recent press release.

“At Sephora, we’re driven by our purpose to champion a world of inspiration and inclusion where everyone can celebrate their beauty. With Quiet Hours at Sephora, we provide a beautifully calm atmosphere where clients feel welcome, allowing them to shop at their own pace, find and purchase the products they love,” said Deborah Yeh, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Sephora.

The results of an initial pilot program involving 32 stores in eight markets spurred this broader rollout, with a majority of neurodivergent consumers polled saying that the Quiet Hours program had notably enhanced their shopping experience — and a whopping 90% of those polled believe that the program “makes Sephora stores more inclusive and welcoming for all.”

Sephora’s not the only retailer who has made a commitment to providing sensory-friendly hours during regular business operations: In 2023 Walmart began the practice of executing sensory-friendly hours in all U.S. and Puerto Rico stores on a daily basis, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Noise is reduced, displays are either turned off or tuned to a static image, the radio is turned off, and lights are dimmed when possible. retailwire.com


Customer Experience Still Wins
How retailers are thinking about omnichannel in the age of AI

The tech has offered new ways to drive traffic and manage loyalty programs, but retail is still about emotional connection, executives at Ulta, Stitch Fix and Tapestry said.

Omnichannel retail has evolved to include artificial intelligence and agentic agents, but stores still need to focus on customer experiences and brand loyalty in order to drive traffic, executives from Ulta, Stitch Fix and other companies said during a Wednesday panel at the CommerceNext Growth Show in New York.

In order to meet consumers where they are, retailers need to understand how consumers are shopping, said Kimberly Shenk, CEO of marketing technology firm Novi, during a panel covering the future of omnichannel retail. “Most consumers are shifting discovery to agents, agentic platforms, ChatGPT, Gemini,” she said, adding that as a result, brand identity has to be consistent across every touchpoint.

Omnichannel isn’t only about in-store and online anymore, Josh Friedman, senior vice president of e-commerce and digital at Ulta Beauty, added during the panel. “We are seeing a lot more use of our app in the store, especially by our guests, maybe by our associates,” he said. “Taking care of those experiences is important.” retaildive.com


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Last week's #1 article --

CORCA Gains Momentum in Senate
CORCA Included in Senate NDAA Legislative Package

By the D&D Daily staff

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) has been included in a bipartisan legislative package filed for consideration as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), potentially providing new momentum for federal organized retail crime legislation.

The package was announced by Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) as part of a broader effort to address crime, online child exploitation, illicit drugs and prison contraband through the annual defense authorization process.

Among the measures included is CORCA, legislation that would strengthen the federal response to organized retail crime by creating a coordinated approach among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies while providing additional tools to investigate and recover stolen merchandise.

According to the senators' announcement, the bill would "improve the federal response to organized retail crime and establish new tools to recover stolen goods."

The legislation has been a priority for retail industry groups, loss prevention professionals and law enforcement organizations that have argued organized retail crime increasingly operates across state lines and often involves sophisticated criminal networks that are difficult for individual jurisdictions to address on their own.

While inclusion in the NDAA package does not guarantee passage, it represents a notable step forward for the measure. The NDAA is one of Congress' must-pass annual bills and is frequently used as a vehicle for bipartisan legislation with broad support.

The Grassley-Durbin package also includes legislation addressing online child exploitation, illicit xylazine trafficking and prison contraband.

Supporters have pushed for federal organized retail crime legislation for several years, arguing that increasingly sophisticated theft networks require greater coordination among federal, state and local authorities.

The Senate will now consider whether to include the package as part of its FY2027 NDAA legislation.  judiciary.senate.gov