Loss Prevention & Security


  • A big red sign on the side of a large department store building.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Macy’s delays full Q3 report over millions in fraudulent expense accounting

    Starting in 2021 an employee hid $132 million to $154 million in delivery expenses, a disclosure overshadowing an otherwise decent quarter.

    By Nov. 25, 2024
  • A cityscape of skyscrapers and commercial buildings around State Street Bridge in Chicago.
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    tunart via Getty Images
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    Shoplifting on the rise this year, report shows

    Two widely different sets of FBI data underscore the need for better information on theft, however, according to Council on Criminal Justice researchers. That includes better reporting from retailers.

    By Nov. 20, 2024
  • People milling about in front of a store, with trees on each side.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    REI changes policy to stop serial returners

    The outdoor gear cooperative said other tactics to curb the misuse of its returns policy by a small number of members were ineffective.

    By Nov. 18, 2024
  • The entrance to a downtown mall, with people walking by.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Auction of struggling San Francisco Centre mall postponed

    The property, previously anchored by a Nordstrom flagship that left last year and now more than $625 million in default, was set to be sold Thursday.

    By Nov. 18, 2024
  • Locked up merchandise at a grocery store.
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    Edwin Lopez/Retail Dive
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    27% of shoppers will switch retailers, abandon purchase if they come across locked-up products: report

    More than half of consumers report seeing more merchandise locked up in stores in the past year, according to a recent survey from Numerator.

    By Howard Ruben • Nov. 6, 2024
  • Amazon retail online shopping lawsuit
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    Daria Nipot via Getty Images
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    Amazon, Google sue over ‘fake review website’

    The dual complaints in federal court target sellers of fake reviews for retailers and local businesses that market on the web giants.

    By Justin Bachman • Nov. 5, 2024
  • NRF and retail advocates on Capitol Hill for Fight Retail Crime Day 2023.
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    Courtesy of NRF
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    As the 118th Congress winds up its session, the National Retail Federation continues its push against retail crime

    The trade group is holding its third straight “Fight Retail Crime Day” amid ongoing questions surrounding the scope of shrink and theft.

    By Oct. 24, 2024
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    Ablestock via Getty Images
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    After more than 3 decades, NRF won’t publish its annual shrink report this year

    The National Retail Federation’s surveys on inventory lost to crime, errors and more have provided statistics on an issue in focus for retailers.

    By Oct. 7, 2024
  • A diverse group of people stand around a table where a person in a blue pantsuit signs papers.
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    Courtesy of Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union
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    Retail workers hail New York’s new panic-button law

    But the bill signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, which requires a host of safety measures to address store-based crime, was opposed by key trade groups.

    By Sept. 6, 2024
  • A person displays their open wallet and cards
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    Joe Raedle / Staff via Getty Images
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    Shoppers’ online fraud fears escalate

    Four in five consumers are worried about identity theft or someone stealing their credit card numbers, according to an August report from the credit monitoring agency Experian.

    By Patrick Cooley • Sept. 3, 2024
  • A group of people crowd around a person in a suit in tie signing papers.
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    Retrieved from Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom on August 16, 2024
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    With support of retail industry, California enacts package of bills to fight retail crime

    Gov. Gavin Newsom hopes to blunt the potential of a November voter referendum that he says could undermine the new legislation.

    By Aug. 22, 2024
  • A Bassett Furniture storefront.
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    The image by Mike Mozart is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Bassett Furniture temporarily shuts down manufacturing facilities following cyberattack

    Although customers can still place orders and purchase products, the furniture company’s ability to fulfill orders is currently impacted. 

    By July 18, 2024
  • Rite Aid storefront.
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    Courtesy of Rite Aid
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    Rite Aid confirms cybersecurity breach

    The drugstore retailer stated that customer’s Social Security numbers, financial information and patient information was not impacted.

    By July 16, 2024
  • A Dollar General storefront at dawn or dusk with an empty parking lot
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    Permission granted by Dollar General
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    Dollar General agrees to settle OSHA safety violations for $12M

    The agreement with federal regulators requires the retailer to reduce its inventory and improve stocking efficiency to avoid safety hazards like blocked emergency exits and access to fire extinguishers.

    By July 12, 2024
  • A Nike storefront at The Grove shopping center in Los Angeles, California.
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    Cara Salpini/Retail Dive
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    Nike, Converse sue 52 ‘counterfeiting networks’

    The businesses named in the lawsuit collectively operate 98 websites and 267 social media handles, and allegedly sell “thousands” of fakes.

    By June 20, 2024
  • Items are locked behind cabinets in a Walgreens aisle
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    How retailers can fight theft without hurting customer experience

    Locked cases drive potential customers to online alternatives. Helpful associates assist customers while inconveniencing crooks.

    By Bryan Wassel • June 13, 2024
  • Two police officers in front of a big box store, amid trees and cars.
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    Marc Piscotty via Getty Images
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    Do retailers need active assailant insurance?

    Stores and shopping centers are increasingly vulnerable to the death and destruction caused by mass shooters in the U.S.

    By June 12, 2024
  • A Dollar General sign and brick storefront on a cloudy day with the company's signature black on yellow logo
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    Permission granted by Dollar General
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    Dollar General to eliminate ‘vast majority’ of self-checkout, reduce new store openings

    Despite a 6% Q1 net sales rise and performance that beat analyst expectations, shrink remains a significant headwind, CEO says.

    By May 31, 2024
  • A woman puts clothing into an RFID self-checkout kiosk
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    Thai Liang Lim via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Why more tech in stores shouldn’t mean fewer workers

    Stores can automate more tasks than ever, including pricing, inventory management and checkout. But for theft prevention, customer service and brand engagement, they need humans.

    By April 10, 2024
  • Outside storefront image of The Home Depot
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    Courtesy of The Home Depot
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    Home Depot confirms breach of employee data

    The retailer said a vendor error led to the exposure of identifiable information of some employees.

    By April 9, 2024
  • Exterior of Woolworths store
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    Quinn Rooney via Getty Images
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    Battling shrink and theft across the globe

    Retailers are trying numerous strategies — from technology to teamwork — to minimize losses.

    By Peyton Bigora • April 8, 2024
  • Deep Dive

    What is ‘organized retail crime,’ exactly?

    It depends, and it doesn't help that many retailers don’t have a good handle on lost inventory, experts say.

    By April 3, 2024
  • A Five Below employee assists a customer at the checkout counter
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    Courtesy of Five Below
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    Five Below scales back self-checkout to fight shrink

    Hiring more store associates will improve customer service and help fight what executives said was an unexpectedly high level of inventory loss.

    By March 21, 2024
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    Kendall Davis/Retail Dive
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    Podcast

    The Backroom: The story behind our stories on shrink and theft

    When the National Retail Federation retracted a theft claim following our coverage of its special report on crime, the news went viral. Here’s what it took to get the story.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Feb. 29, 2024
  • A rack of denim jeans with white store tags clipped to them.
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    FeelPic via Getty Images
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    RFID has been around for decades. Now it’s becoming retailers’ best crime-fighting tool.

    The tech has long been used for inventory management, but is being affixed to more merchandise and yielding more data.

    By Feb. 21, 2024