Retail-Law Enforcement Relationships Helping Fight Shoplifting
Shoplifting cases on the rise in Las Vegas, but so are arrests
Las Vegas police report a steady rise in shoplifting cases year over year, but arrests are also up.

Statistics from Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reveal 5,072 reported shoplifting crimes up until September 7 compared to 4,562 at the same time in 2024. While shoplifting is up, so are arrests in 2025 with 1,988 compared to 1,711 a year ago.

“We've really put an emphasis on reporting all the thefts, so that way we can start seeing trends and MO's and start identifying suspects who we know are linked to more than just one,” Capt. Noel Roberts with the theft crimes bureau said. “It's really just one big working relationship and sharing of information and I think because of that, the retail establishments are more eager to want to report it, because they see that there's something being done that, we're not just turning a blind eye because maybe this item doesn't meet a threshold.”

Roberts said the Organized Retail Crime unit added a second squad of detectives in March to address the growing issue as seen in data requested by News 3 going back to 2020. Roberts credits a growing relationship between retailers and officers to the number of reports and arrests. He said officers can build cases and charge thieves.

The Retail Association of Nevada estimates shoplifting costing the state at least $100 million in the last 15 years. news3lv.com


Organized Gift Card Fraud Legislation in Michigan
Michigan House approves plan to combat gift card fraud by organized crime
The Michigan House of Representatives on Tuesday approved bipartisan legislation to combat gift card fraud. The legislation is sponsored by state Rep. Mike Harris, R-Waterford, and state Rep. Samantha Steckloff, D-Farmington Hills.

It’s not just about stopping theft, it’s about cracking down on organized crime, which has been using sophisticated methods to covertly steal gift card pins before the cards are bought, so they can be used after the cards are activated to buy stuff online and then resell it or return it for cash.

If signed into law, House Bills 4598 and 4599 would add gift card fraud to Michigan’s existing laws dealing with organized retail crime, making it a felony punishable by up to five years in jail and a $5,000 fine. The change will make it easier to prosecute anyone who steals a gift card or uses a stolen gift number, or who tampers with a gift card with intent to defraud.

Both bills passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, with a tally of 103 votes in favor to just one opposed. They now go to the Senate for further consideration. gophouse.org


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California bill to prohibit officers from concealing faces heads to governor’s desk
 

Next-Gen LP Solutions - Going Beyond Theft Prevention
LP leaders are no longer viewed only as the “security team,” but as partners in driving customer satisfaction and operational excellence

Retailers Embrace Next-Generation LP Solutions Beyond Theft Prevention

By the D&D Daily staff

For years, loss prevention has been synonymous with combating theft and organized retail crime. But a new wave of solutions is expanding the role of LP departments, positioning them as drivers of operational efficiency and customer experience rather than just security.

One of the most significant shifts is the rise of computer vision and shelf-monitoring systems. Once used primarily to spot suspicious behavior, these technologies now help retailers track stock levels in real time, reduce out-of-stocks, and improve product placement. By ensuring shelves stay full and organized, retailers are finding that loss prevention tools can also boost sales.

Another innovation gaining traction is smart exit technology. Rather than focusing solely on alarms and hard tags, retailers are implementing gates equipped with sensors that can verify purchases through mobile apps or RFID tags. The approach reduces friction at checkout, speeds up lines, and allows employees to spend less time checking receipts and more time assisting customers.

Data integration platforms are also changing the game. Traditionally, LP data was siloed from merchandising or operations. Now, advanced platforms combine sales trends, foot traffic analytics, and sensor data to pinpoint not only potential shrink but also inefficiencies in staffing or inventory management. This broader use of LP systems is helping executives see them as a profit protection investment, not just a theft deterrent.

In addition, employee safety solutions are becoming part of the LP toolkit. Wearable panic buttons, AI-driven incident monitoring, and real-time communication tools are being adopted to protect frontline staff from accidents or emergencies, further widening the definition of “loss” to include workforce well-being and business continuity.

Industry experts say this evolution underscores a strategic rebrand: LP leaders are no longer viewed only as the “security team,” but as partners in driving customer satisfaction and operational excellence. “If you can prevent theft and improve efficiency at the same time, the return on investment speaks for itself,” one retail consultant said.

As retailers adopt these next-generation solutions, the role of LP is shifting from reactive protection to proactive performance—an expansion that could redefine the function for years to come.


Who is Fueling High Retail Return Rates?
Wealthier shoppers drive higher return rates for retailers
Higher-income shoppers are more likely to make returns, according to an analysis of credit and debit card data from Bank of America. Their return rate in 2025 to date stands at 5.3%, significantly above the 3.7% rate of low-income shoppers. The average across income and demographic cohorts stands at 4.5%.

Several factors help explain why higher-income shoppers are more likely to send goods back. One is that those consumers tend to spend more on discretionary items, which have higher return rates than other categories. Another theory is that wealthier shoppers are more inclined to buy speculatively—taking a chance on a product they’re not sure about or engaging in practices like wardrobing to find the perfect style and fit.

Fraud could also be a possibility: 1 in 4 higher-income shoppers engaged in some kind of first-party fraud during the holiday season—such as disputing legitimate credit card charges or falsely claiming packages were stolen—compared with just 11% of lower-income consumers, according to a survey by Socure.

Many retailers see wealthier clientele as the answer to otherwise sluggish sales—but as the elevated returns rates suggest, cultivating these shoppers can drive up expenses.

Tightening returns policies isn’t an option given the very real possibility of alienating those shoppers. Companies will instead have to invest in tools like AR try-on to reduce the need for wardrobing and fraud-detection capabilities to identify abusive behavior.  emarketer.com


In Case You Missed It
Mom pushes for new retail safety rules after in-store incident that nearly left her daughter blinded
A western Sydney mom is looking to change the safety measures in retail stores after an incident nearly left her two-year-old blinded. Maureen Ahluwalia was with her daughter Amaira and sister-in-law at her local Blacktown Westpoint shopping center on July 8 when the incident occurred.

Ahluwalia said her daughter was walking right beside her – as she commonly does – when the scary incident happened. “She’s just turned and the rack hook’s gone in her eye. I tried to calm her down, literally her eyelid was inside out,” she told NewsWire.

Kmart, Target and Rebel Sport were among the first to respond back in 2020, adding soft rubbers and plastics over the ends of apparel hooks, however, Ahluwalia is now putting a different question to shops. “Why are we not doing more? And why do these hooks still exist at toddler height?  nypost.com


Political Speech in the Workplace
Workers are getting fired, placed on leave over Charlie Kirk posts

Reactions to the conservative activist’s killing have become a litmus test for employers’ tolerance for political speech by employees, in public and private.

Within 24 hours of Charlie Kirk’s killing, an assistant dean at a Tennessee college, a communications staffer for an NFL team, a Next Door employee in Milwaukee, and the co-owner of a Cincinnati barbecue restaurant were fired after posting about it. washingtonpost.com


Retail coffee prices jumped by 4% in August
Coffee prices have surged 21% YoY. This represents the fastest price increase since October 1997

Target opening seven stores in October — here are the locations
 
Consumer sentiment falls to four-month low in September


Last week's #1 article --

The 4th Retail 'Megatrend' is Here
The 4th Megatrend Is Redefining Retail — And It’s Just Getting Started

By Tony D'Onofrio - President, Sensormatic

In all my global presentations, I share insights on the three post World War II megatrends that created major power shifts in retail business models. These shifts go beyond mere technological advancements or consumer preferences; they encompass a holistic transformation in how brands engage with customers, redefine their value propositions, and adapt to an increasingly interconnected world.

Retail is not immune from the major technology advancements that impacted all industry sectors since the start of the industrial revolution. These long waves of innovation have provided the base fuel to many societal transformational changes.

We are currently in the sixth long wave of innovation with Artificial Intelligence, Internet-of-Things, robots & drones, and cleaning technologies leading the way. Crucially, note that each technology wave is getting shorter.

This article summarizes my three transformational trends that have transformed retail since World War II. It will explain the triggers, the momentum, the impact, and the power shifts driven by these major trends. As with the long waves of innovation, the 4th megatrend has already arrived and I am guessing you know what it is. You will, however, be surprised by the societal group that will gain the most power from this latest disruptive trend.

   Click here to read Tony's full article
 

Retailers Turning the Tables:
Fighting Cybercrime With Offense, Not Just Defense

By the D&D Daily staff

Cybercriminals have long viewed retailers as ripe targets. With massive amounts of consumer data, sprawling supply chains, and omnichannel platforms, retailers face relentless attacks ranging from ransomware to credential stuffing. But as the threat has intensified, retailers are shifting their posture. Instead of playing defense, many are now striking back with a more proactive, intelligence-driven approach.

The new trend is less about building higher walls and more about turning cybercrime’s own playbook against it. Large and mid-sized retailers are increasingly investing in threat intelligence sharing networks that track criminal chatter on dark web forums. By pooling resources, retailers can identify stolen credentials or payment data faster and notify customers before damage spreads. “It’s no longer just about protecting your own store,” one industry analyst noted. “It’s about starving cybercriminals of oxygen by making stolen data worthless.”

Retailers are also adopting deception technologies—systems designed to lure hackers into decoys that mimic real assets. Once intruders engage, security teams can study their tactics, trace their methods, and build stronger countermeasures. Some companies are even using AI-driven analytics to flag suspicious activity within seconds, cutting down response time from days to minutes.

Another shift is in public-private partnerships. Retailers are now working hand-in-hand with law enforcement and financial institutions, not just after a breach, but in real time. These partnerships have led to the takedown of cybercrime rings responsible for retail-targeted ransomware attacks and large-scale carding operations.

What makes this new era different is mindset. Retailers are no longer simply reacting when their systems are breached—they’re anticipating where the next blow might come from and deploying tools to get ahead of it. As one CISO put it, “We’ve stopped waiting for the wolf to come to the door. We’re tracking the pack in the woods.”

For an industry that has spent years in reactive mode, this offensive posture signals a turning point. Cybercrime remains a costly and evolving threat, but retailers are proving they don’t have to be easy prey.


AI Is Moving Fast - But Security Hasn't Caught Up
CISOs brace for a new kind of AI chaos
AI is being added to business processes faster than it is being secured, creating a wide gap that attackers are already exploiting, according to the SANS Institute.

The scale of the problem

Attackers are using AI to work at speeds that humans cannot match. Phishing messages are more convincing, privilege escalation happens faster, and automated scripts can adjust mid-attack to avoid detection. The report highlights research showing that AI-driven attacks can move more than 40 times faster than traditional methods. This means a breach can happen before a defender even sees the first alert.

Inside many security operations centers, AI is being added without a plan. Forty-two percent of SOCs surveyed said they are using AI and machine learning tools straight out of the box, without custom rules or integrations. Few have playbooks for AI-specific threats like prompt injection or model poisoning. Many teams also lack visibility into how AI systems behave, which creates blind spots that attackers can exploit.

This lack of readiness is particularly challenging for smaller SOCs that operate with limited staff. Rob T. Lee, Chief of Research and Chief AI Officer at SANS Institute, told Help Net Security that when resources are tight, CISOs should focus on one investment that provides both security and operational efficiency.

“The most important AI security investment for C-level executives during this year should be an adoption-led control plane,” Lee said. “This enables employees to access approved AI tools through a protected environment that includes fundamental security measures for access control, data protection, model tracking and monitoring. It allows users to perform their work tasks through AI while security teams maintain visibility into AI operations across all data domains.”   helpnetsecurity.com


Bolstering the Common Vulnerabilities & Exposures Program
CISA looks to partners to shore up the future of the CVE Program
The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has affirmed its continuing support for the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) program.

“If we want to outpace and outmaneuver our adversaries, we must first ensure that defenders everywhere are operating from the same map. That’s what the CVE Program provides: a common lexicon of real, exploitable vulnerabilities,” Nick Andersen, Executive Assistant Director for Cybersecurity, stated on Thursday.

“CISA has been – and will remain – committed to the security, stability, and strategic direction of this mission-critical infrastructure.” helpnetsecurity.com


Senior NSC official said US needs to embrace offensive cyber