The NCA estimates that at least £1bn of criminal cash is laundered through High Street stores in the UK each year through businesses connected to the sale of fake goods, tax evasion, illegal working and illegal drug supply. bbc.com


Anti-Theft Self-Checkout Legislation Missing the Point?
What Legislators (and Retailers) are Getting Wrong about Retail Theft
Retailers are rethinking self-checkout (SCO) due to their theft vulnerability, and now policymakers are getting involved. A recent New York City proposal is gaining attention, but they’re not alone, as Orange County, Calif., Connecticut and others are also exploring measures that would rein in SCO use.

SCO has clearly become the poster child for retail theft. But there’s a problem with that narrative. It places disproportionate blame on a single moment in the shopping journey while overlooking where most loss actually occurs. If retailers want to address theft, they need more store visibility and not more restrictions from legislators.

Legislation is Rising, but is it Missing the Point?

In New York City, proposals aim to cap the number of items allowed at SCO and require additional employee oversight. In California’s Orange County and Long Beach, officials have explored similar restrictions, while lawmakers in Connecticut are considering bills that would increase staffing mandates or limit how SCO is deployed.

These efforts are designed to create accountability at the register but, like retailer-led rollbacks, they center on only one part of a much longer sequence of events. The other drawback to limiting or eliminating SCO access is introducing new customer experience challenges. SCO has become deeply embedded in the modern retail experience for many years now.

Customers value the speed and flexibility it provides, while retailers benefit from improved labor efficiencies. According to a recent Gallup poll, more than one third of retailers (37%) cited staffing as their top obstacle. Pulling back too aggressively can lead to longer lines, increased pressure on store associates and a more frustrating in-store experience.

There’s also an opportunity cost. When employees are reassigned to monitor SCO lanes to comply with proposed rules, they’re pulled away from other critical tasks like restocking shelves, assisting customers, and maintaining store operations. The risk is that regulations, and the operational changes that follow, may add friction without addressing the root cause of theft. retailtouchpoints.com


Retail Use of ALPRs Continues to Grow
Kroger confirms shoppers will be searched by ‘automatic’ anti-theft measure as they walk through the front doors

Kroger confirmed it uses an anti-theft tactic that scans customers and collects their information before even stepping inside the store.

Ralph’s, a subsidiary of Kroger, is one of many brands utilizing cameras that automatically scan license plates, called ALPRs.

In a statement on the company’s website, Ralph’s said the data “includes still images of vehicles including the make and model, color, license plates, characters and numbers associated with the license plates, and the date and time when the images were collected.”

The company added that the information could be shared with law enforcement and other businesses when “reasonably necessary” for safety reasons.

Kroger shared that it reviews the ALPR technology for errors and keeps the data “as long as reasonably necessary.”

Several other big box retailers, like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Costco, all use the technology to prevent theft.

Each retailer has different rules for how long they store the information and who it is shared with, making it difficult for consumers to know where their personal data is going. the-sun.com


States vs. Cargo Theft
States crack down on cargo theft rings hitting truckers

States are coming down hard on cargo theft this year.

Lawmakers are taking steps to crack down on organized theft rings by setting stronger prosecution rules, boosting penalties and creating attorney general task forces. Arkansas and North Carolina were among the first states to move on the issue.

The push at statehouses comes as the U.S. House approved a bill aimed at breaking up organized retail theft networks.

Tennessee

Tennessee just passed a new law targeting cargo theft crimes. The law creates a legal definition for fraudulent freight theft. That includes schemes such as illegally rerouting loads, using fake identities to grab freight and transferring cargo to unauthorized third parties.

The law also makes it a specific crime to break into a cargo container and steal merchandise. Supporters say that gives police and prosecutors stronger tools to go after thieves.

Michigan

Michigan lawmakers are also pushing bills to impose tougher penalties on cargo thieves. Rep. Mike Harris, R-Waterford, said business and police across the state are seeing a rise in cargo theft cases. Wayne County and Detroit have been flagged for theft tied to international criminal gangs.

Harris introduced two bills designed to hit thieves harder.

One bill, HB5125, would allow prosecutors to seek prison sentences of up to 10 years in cargo theft cases involving stolen freight. Those sentences could be stacked with penalties from other crimes tied to the same incident. landline.media


Canada's Retail Theft Surge
New RCMP report reveals surge in retail theft and human trafficking
Retail theft, sexually related offenses and overdoses have been keeping RCMP busy, as Staff Sgt. Jerry Nutbrown updates council on his units’ work. Nutbrown heads the general investigation section (GIS), currently comprised of 11 regular members and a municipal employee.

The AGENT program, which currently has 89 businesses signed up according to the City of Lloydminster, authorizes police and peace officers to act as representatives when addressing trespassing, loitering and other unlawful activity on their property.

Retail theft has been on their radar, something they’re looking to tackle.

“We’ve gone and done some retail operations. Retail thefts are a very significant issue in North America,” said Nutbrown, noting they’ll work with the loss prevention officers at the establishments they’re trying to help. “We try to target the higher crime or higher victimized retail outlets.” meridiansource.ca


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