LP: A Smart Career Move in 2026
Retail Loss Prevention Remains a Strong Career Path as the Industry Evolves

By the D&D Daily staff

As retailers continue to adapt to shifting consumer behaviors, changing store formats, and increasingly sophisticated threats, loss prevention continues to stand out as a stable and high-growth career path. While the work has long been associated with shrink reduction and apprehensions, today’s LP landscape increasingly blends technology, operations, safety, and data-driven strategy — creating a wider array of opportunities for those entering the field.

Industry leaders say one of the biggest strengths of loss prevention careers is the breadth of skills gained on the job. Entry-level roles often expose employees to investigations, surveillance technology, audit processes, safety protocols, and store operations. As retailers deploy AI-enabled analytics, RFID visibility tools, and centralized monitoring, LP professionals are finding themselves working more closely with IT, supply chain, and asset protection teams than ever before. This interdisciplinary environment has made LP a strong foundation for long-term retail careers, whether employees remain in the field or transition into other areas of the business.

Another advantage is upward mobility. Many current LP directors and regional leaders began their careers as store-level associates or specialists. The job typically offers clear progression paths — from store LP roles to multi-unit positions, then to corporate strategy or field leadership. As retailers continue to invest in organized retail crime mitigation, safety programs, and new technology, the demand for skilled LP talent remains steady.

LP also offers a variety of work environments. Depending on the company and structure, professionals may focus on investigations, digital fraud, training and compliance, incident response, or emerging technology deployment. This variety allows employees to find a niche that fits their strengths, whether they prefer fast-paced field work or analytical corporate roles.

Despite ongoing challenges facing the retail sector, the role of loss prevention has only grown more central to organizational success. With a combination of job stability, skill development, and clear advancement opportunities, LP continues to provide a compelling and rewarding career path for those looking to make an impact in one of retail’s most essential functions.


AI Is a Must for Competitive Pricing
Retailers see Agentic AI as critical for pricing, but lack plans
Most retailers think agentic AI will be a necessary component for competitive pricing, but preparations lag awareness.

Two-in-three (67%) retailers expect to increase their investment in artificial intelligence technologies during the next two years. And nearly one-in-three retailers surveyed for a new research study conducted by Chain Store Age for Revionics, an Aptos company, anticipate a significant increase. No respondents foresee a decrease in investment.

Agentic AI looms large

Two-in-three respondents said that the use of AI agents for pricing will be essential to staying competitive by 2030. But while the majority of respondents say agentic AI is critical, only 21% have a clear roadmap for it.

"The next pricing frontier is agentic AI,” said Matthew Pavich, senior director, strategy & innovation, Revionics. "While retail executives agree that AI agents are key to future success, our report highlights a readiness gap. This is where strategic partnership becomes critical."  chainstoreage.com


Retail Job Cuts Up 139% YTD
Job Cuts Climb as Labor Economy Workforce Trades Down
A trio of labor reports, spanning government, private sector data and PYMNTS Intelligence findings, shows that uncertainty is rising among hourly workers even as their spending continues. Jobless claims are at a three-year low, but companies are planning more cuts, and wages for the 60 million workers who make up the Labor Economy have slipped.

Retail cuts increased from 2,431 in October to 3,290 in November. In terms of year-to-date cuts, the retail sector has announced 91,954 job cuts, up 139% from the same period last year. The food sector has cut 34,165 jobs, up 26% from last year.

PYMNTS Intelligence’s Wage to Wallet Index identifies the Labor Economy as roughly 60 million workers earning $25 an hour or less. These are hourly and frontline workers in logistics, healthcare support, construction, food service and retail. They make up one-third of the workforce and account for approximately 15% of total consumer spending in the United States.

Even small shifts in their income influence spending in local services and retail. pymnts.com


Dollar General announces 450 new US stores opening in 2026 as part of expansion
Retailer also plans thousands of remodels and a continued push into Mexico
 
How a 'continuous peak' is rewriting retail’s biggest season

Ulta Beauty: Tariff-driven price increases accelerated in Q3


Last week's #1 article --

Retail Crime Continues to Surge Despite Police Data
Amid shopping season, UF experts warn retail theft is growing more sophisticated

The Loss Prevention Research Council and its affiliated UF researchers offer evidence-based insights as retailers report rising crime and safety concerns

With the busiest shopping season of the year approaching, new findings from the National Retail Federation’s Impact of Retail Theft and Violence 2025 report — developed by the University of Florida’s SaferPlaces Lab and the Loss Prevention Research Council — show retailers are facing increasingly complex and technology-driven threats. UF researchers say early preparation, better data and stronger collaboration will be essential as stores brace for heavier foot traffic and heightened safety risks.

Despite public reports that retail theft is decreasing, Read Hayes, Ph.D., a UF research scientist and director of the LPRC at UF Innovate, said retailer surveys tell a different story: Incidents of shoplifting, organized retail crime, online fraud and other external theft continue to rise, even as some law enforcement statistics appear flat or declining. The gap, he said, reflects how much crime goes unreported or unrecorded.

“Retailers have always had a difficult time reporting much of their crime, and if you look only at police data, like calls for service or arrests, it can look like retail crime is flat or even slightly down,” he said. “But when we survey retailers, who are the actual crime victims, they consistently report year-over-year increases in theft and violence.”

Criminal groups are also becoming more sophisticated. Hayes said offenders are increasingly using technology to defeat protective systems, disrupt cameras and identify vulnerable stores. They also rely heavily on social media platforms such as TikTok and Reddit to coordinate attacks and share tactics.

“It’s a little disconcerting how much criminals rely on social media now to scout stores, map out easy targets, learn from each other or just plain brag about how they did it,” he said.

LPRC scientists monitor social media signals to help retailers and law enforcement understand emerging threats — not in real time, Hayes said, but to help build best practices organizations can use to defend themselves.

Safety remains retailers’ top concern, Hayes said. LPRC’s latest report, developed in collaboration with the security technology company Verkada, found that frontline retail workers report feeling less safe than ever, a trend that typically intensifies during the holiday rush. Rising incidents of in-store violence, limited law enforcement support in some areas and increased guest-related confrontations are pushing retailers to reassess how they protect both employees and customers. news.ufl.edu