D&D Daily Fatality Report Makes the News
'42% of all fatal incidents occurred at convenience stores'

Ask the Expert: Smarter security for safer stores

How unified systems help convenience stores protect people and combat crime.

Nada Ebeid, regional director of Signature Brands, Canada at Genetec

Convenience stores remain the most targeted retail environments for violent crime. According to the 2024 D&D Daily Retail Violent Fatalities Report, 42% of all fatal incidents occurred at convenience stores. Customers accounted for over half of these fatalities, with store associates close behind at 25%.

From theft and assaults to smash-and-grab attacks, rising violence threatens employee safety, erodes customer trust, and jeopardizes store operations. Yet many retailers still rely on outdated, disconnected security systems that make it hard to respond in real time—let alone prevent incidents.

To meet today’s challenges, store owners need a smarter, unified approach to physical security that deters crime, protects staff and customers, and helps law enforcement close cases faster.

Crime is up and confidence is down

The impact of retail crime goes far beyond stolen merchandise or cash. Stores hit by violence or repeated theft often face ripple effects: staff resignations, hiring challenges, damaged property and reputation, and even prolonged closures.

Unify, simplify, strengthen

A unified, open architecture platform brings together video surveillance, automatic license plate recognition (ALPR), access control, panic buttons, communication systems, and more into a single, cohesive solution. A unified security platform also enables fast, contextual investigations by including data from other systems, such as your point-of-sale (POS) system, so you can get a complete picture of store activity. With everything connected, stores can monitor activity in real time and respond faster.

Additional ways to strengthen security and support a faster response | Collaboration is key | Solutions that are built for today and ready for the future: ccentral.ca


C-Stores vs. Crime
Convenience Store Operators Launch a Counterattack on Crime

From surveillance systems to strategic store layout, retailers take a layered approach to safety and security.

The convenience channel has been plagued by rampant shoplifting and organized retail crime (ORC) for years. Over the last five years, chains such as Wawa Inc., Stewart's Shops and QuikTrip Corp., to name a few, have even shuttered stores after surges in theft, robberies, and verbal and physical assaults created an unsafe environment for customers and employees, and an unsustainable business environment.

The problem is escalating. According to the National Retail Federation's (NRF) 2024 "The Impact of Retail Theft and Violence" report, all retail sectors experienced a 93% increase in the average number of shoplifting incidents per year in 2023 vs. 2019, and a 90% increase in dollar loss to shoplifting during that same period. Additionally, 73% of retailers reported that shoplifters have become more aggressive and violent over the past year, with 84% expressing heightened concern about the violence occurring during theft incidents.

A myriad of factors point to why retail crime has risen in the last few years. Historically, shoplifting was known as an invisible crime whereby an individual or a few people stole specific goods by concealing merchandise and attempting to leave the store unnoticed. Many thefts were due to personal need: food, clothing or items to help individuals burdened with personal hardships, afflictions or addictions. This is viewed as a crime of need, NRF explained.

In contrast, ORC — defined by NRF as largescale theft of retail merchandise or digital goods with the intent to distribute and sell the items for financial gain — has become a crime of greed these days.

Matthew Makarem, director of loss prevention and employee development for Fremont, Calif.-based Vintners Distributors/Loop Neighborhood Markets, noted that the uptick in internal or employee theft that occurred in 2022 and 2023 leveled down in 2024. However, retail theft continued to rise last year as difficult economic times coupled with lax governmental policies contribute to the problem.

For Westborough, Mass.-based EG America, operator of 1,500-plus convenience stores, some of the biggest vulnerabilities the chain faces are tied directly to the features that drive the business, such as tobacco inventory controls, fuel pump upgrades and the ongoing evolution of ORC.

Deterrence is the one aspect of crime prevention that c-store operators can directly influence and so, retailers are adopting multipronged strategies that combine technology, employee training, store design and community engagement to enhance safety and security. csnews.com


Multifaceted Solutions & Strategies to Fight ORC
Evaluating Emerging Solutions in the Fight Against ORC
As organized retail crime (ORC) continues to grow unchecked across the country, multifaceted solutions and strategies are beginning to take hold. Many states have implemented new laws and initiatives to combat the rise of ORC and new organizations have emerged to simplify information sharing and provide better insights on repeat offenders. Additionally, innovative solutions that offer greater intelligence into inventory, supply chains, and the movement of stolen products are creating optimism about the tools available to address this ongoing issue.

Challenges Associated With Addressing ORC

Retailers face numerous challenges in combating ORC. First of all, there are legal barriers. Many states set thresholds that classify theft below a certain dollar amount as a misdemeanor, which complicates prosecution efforts. These thresholds differ across jurisdictions, often limiting prosecutors' ability to pursue theft cases as felonies. Additionally, some jurisdictions prohibit the aggregation of retail theft incidents, treating them as isolated offenses. This fragmented approach makes it more challenging to secure legislative or regulatory support to address the broader issue effectively.

Resource limitations are another factor. Some retailers lack the funds to invest in advanced security technologies or loss prevention staff. This issue is compounded by the complexity and professional staff needed to fight ORC across jurisdictional hurdles. ORC groups often operate across state or national borders, complicating law enforcement coordination and response.

Exploring Current and Future Solutions

Retailers have adopted a multifaceted approach to combat ORC, leveraging process improvements, personnel strategies, and technology. When it comes to improving process effectiveness, businesses are implementing stricter inventory management systems, reducing the number of high-risk products on store shelves, and training staff to recognize theft patterns. Retailers are also hiring dedicated loss prevention teams, third-party security guards, or off-duty police personnel to deter and apprehend organized criminals.

The adoption of new, more advanced security technologies like artificial intelligence-powered surveillance systems, facial recognition software, and RFID (radio-frequency identification) has proven effective in identifying and tracking stolen goods. Smart security solutions allow retailers to deter theft and share real-time data with law enforcement. Other cutting-edge technologies, such as stealth sensors, monitor product location and condition while flagging unauthorized activity and providing prescriptive guidance for real-time intervention. This helps identify risky truck stops or route deviations, playing a critical role in reducing the threat of ORC. mytotalretail.com

 
Nearly half of all US murders go unsolved, data shows

Exclusive: JPD modernizes its crime data reporting with NIBRS certification