Jun
03
2013
Alex Giauque
Loss Prevention Blog
Death of the Salesmen: Technology’s Threat to Retail Jobs
The decline of big-box retail and department stores could also mark the fall of retail as a job engine. Throughout the 20th century, American stores were the locus of low-skilled employment. The total retail workforce tripled between 1940 and 2000, and for much of the century, the sector employed more people than construction and health care combined. Even today, the two most common occupations in America, by a wide margin, are retail salesperson and cashier. Last year, 7.6 million people held those jobs—more than the total number of workers in Florida. But retail employment is following a familiar path, one already beaten by farmers and factory workers. Retail now employs fewer people than it did in 1999. And those people work significantly fewer hours, too. The Web has changed how shoppers find what they’re looking for. Twenty years ago, the shoppers went to the stores. Today, the stores go to the shoppers. From the floor salespeople replaced by informative Web sites to the cashiers nudged aside by automatic checkout machines, the daily tasks once performed by store employees are either being taken over by machines or outsourced to customers. (Source theatlantic.com)
Schnucks wants federal court to handle POS $7.5M+++ data breach class action lawsuit
The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the named plaintiff and others similarly affected accused Schnucks of willful and wanton neglect, a charge for which punitive damages are available under Illinois law. It also sought actual damages from Schnucks for the numerous hours and effort that individuals had to allegedly put into cancelling affected cards, activating replacements and re-establishing automatic withdrawal authorizations. In its motion for removal from state court, Schnucks claimed that the “time and effort” claims for Illinois alone easily exceed the $5 million threshold for federal consideration. (Source csoonline.com)
Cyber thieves are honing in on retail on the hunt for credit card numbers
As their attacks get more sophisticated and businesses start adopting better security protocols in the financial industry, the food and beverage and retail industries continue to look more appetizing to cyber villains looking to take advantage of their weaker security protection and the growing number of shoppers using their mobile devices as a point of sale.
Retail is by far cyber criminals’ biggest target
, making up 45% of total breaches in 2012, which is a 15% year-over-year increase from 2011, according to Trustwave. One of the reasons is because of the sheer number of merchants that accept electronic payments, as well as the “it won’t happen to me” mentality that has caused companies in the services and retail industries to shrug off cyber threats. (Source foxbusiness.com)
NFC awareness up but many see no benefits to the technology
As more businesses and brands, and handset manufacturers, invest in contactless payment technologies, consumer awareness is starting to grow. According to the latest Mobile Payment Index from eDigitalResearch, consumer awareness has more than doubled in the last 12 months. However, while awareness is on the increase, 30% of consumers don’t think there are any benefits to the technology. eDigitalResearch’s report comes at a time when issues surrounding contactless payments have come to the fore. Stories of digital pickpockets taking advantage of NFC capabilities and charging errors have surfaced. (Source bizreport.com)
IP Theft Costs US $300 Billion Per Year: Report
A private advisory panel says growing intellectual property theft, mainly by China, is costing the United States more than $300 billion each year. The report by the Commission on the Theft of American Intellectual Property recommends tougher U.S. action to address the issue, including economic sanctions, import bans and blacklisting from financial markets. This non-partisan panel, made up of former high-ranking U.S. officials, says the president’s national security adviser should help lead the response to the theft of trade secrets. (Source voanews.com)
Martec International releases Loss Prevention Retail Fraud Survey 2013-14 for the UK – Charging $9,180.00 to interested vendors
This report provides a detailed understanding of the retail fraud and loss prevention systems, processes and strategies of the UK’s leading 100 Retailers. Order today and get the US version of the report. The annual report provides a 50-page management summary of major loss prevention-related trends, a comprehensive two-page profile of each of the 100 retailers and lists systems currently in use as well as plans to upgrade or replace, investment priorities, other key metrics and much more. Armed with this information, solution providers can zero in on the best opportunities and thus significantly improve the success rate of closing business deals. Wouldn’t you want to know who is interested and in need of your solutions before even knocking on the door? Now you can have that! (Source martec-international.com)
Massive store closures predicted to continue in the UK because of online shopping and supermarkets continuing to increase non-food sales
Store vacancies across the UK have increased by 161% since the onset of the recession in 2008, reaching 14.1% today. The report predicts this figure could rise to 24% by 2018 if no preventative action is taken. The report reveals that online retail is set to account for more than a fifth of all retail sales by 2018 reaching 25.4% by 2020. This is expected to have major implications for the number and location of retail stores in future years. (Source theretailbulletin.com)
Delhaize Group- supermarkets continues to shrink – trying to sell their Sweetbay and Harvey’s banners in the U.S.
They’ve already made massive corporate layoffs at virtually all their brands in the U.S. earlier this year including restructuring Loss Prevention and eliminating positions. Now they’re looking to sell two of their east coast brands. (Source supermarketnews.com)
Two Boston Malls install security cameras to help cut down on crime
Two major suburban shopping malls, in Braintree and Wrentham, have added new security cameras in response to concerns about safety and crime from their home communities. Wrentham Village Premium Outlets last fall installed 10 security cameras to monitor common areas and parking lots after the town’s Planning Board voted to allow a Black Friday Midnight Madness sale only if the new cameras were added. (Source bostonglobe.com)
Peru may be responsible for 17% of all US Counterfeit money.
Using offset printers instead of photocopies and age old techniques that are painstakingly time consuming, the Peruvians have mastered the art of making counterfeit US Dollars and European Euros. The craftsman even managed to use a needle and tread to duplicate the security fiber we use to identify our real bills. Over two hundred counterfeiters have been arrested in Peru over the last few years, but they still manage to put out the best counterfeit money around the world. (Source globalpost.com)
Green Bay police report 23 cases of counterfeit money in last two months
Since April 1, police say they have received 23 reports of counterfeit money being used. Victims include convenience stores, gas stations, church groups and retail stores. The suspects pay for a small purchase with a large counterfeit bill, then receive real money in change. (Source fox11online.com)
Sister of a Chinese diplomat arrested in New York on Thursday for shoplifting at Macy’s flagship
Stealing two shirts and a dress worth $150.00, Officers charged Guo Wang, 37, with criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny before members of her family kicked up a fuss trying to get her released, as reported by the New York Post. (Source dailymail.co.uk)
Burger King employee sneaks out and moves -hides -robber’s getaway car
A fast food employee is being lauded by police for his fast thinking after foiling a robbery at a Burger King in Stockton, Calif. As two hamburlgars stormed the restaurant brandishing guns and demanding cash, an employee snuck out a back door, according to KOVR-TV in Sacramento. The employee found the thieves’ idling getaway vehicle in the parking lot, hopped in and drove off, stashing the car around the block. “I haven’t heard of any employee actually leaving a business, getting inside the suspect vehicle and trying to hide it,” Stockton officer Joe Silva told reporters. (Source yahoo.com)
Four men charged after violent robbery at Boca T-Mobile store
Pompano Beach suspects pepper sprayed, handcuffed victims in December heist of a Boca Raton T-Mobile. After brandishing handguns, the pair forced two employees and a customer into a back storage area. Two other accomplices showed up. The victims were pepper-sprayed and handcuffed, and the robbers left with cash and phones. (Source sun-sentinel.com)
Mom takes her 12 and 9 yr old shoplifting at Walmart
An Albuquerque woman is in jail Monday for allegedly shoplifting with her two young kids in tow. According to the criminal complaint, a security guard spotted a woman and her two kids, ages 12 and nine, on surveillance cameras eating food from the deli department without paying for it, then stealing about a $100 in clothing. (Source krqe.com)
Authorities seek info about armed robberies at Md. Verizon and AT&T phone stores
D.C. bus shelters are featuring FBI digital billboards of perpetrators in a series of armed robberies at cell phone stores. The robberies occurred from January to March in the Maryland suburbs, mostly at Verizon and AT&T stores. Authorities believe three people have been involved in the robbery series. Surveillance photos of the robbers from a March 15 robbery at a Radio Shack in West Lanham Hills are featured on the digital billboards. (Source washingtonexaminer.com)
Shoplifter in Houston charged with Felony Murder following Thursday’s crash.
Humble Police pursued the vehicle drive by 21 year old Shiquinta Franklin as she fled following a shoplifting incident where she stole $2600 worth of merchandise. Investigators said she left the freeway and ran a red light at the intersection of the Eastex Freeway service road and Quitman, striking a Chevrolet Malibu driven by Rosalva Quezada. The Malibu rolled over after the crash, and Quezada died at the scene. Three youth males in Quezada’s vehicle, ages 5, 7, and 15, were taken to hospitals in serious condition. (Source chron.com)
Radio Shack store the victim of a smash and grab in St. Louis.
The backdoor of the Radio Shack store on Lindell Boulevard in St. Louis was ripped off its hinges as burglar broke into the store at approximately 6:30am this morning. No reports of suspects or amount of merchandise stolen at this time. (Source kmov.com)
Three Teens arrested for shoplifting connected to $250,000 of vandalism to a Kansas School
Officials in Junction City are estimating the damage done by vandals at an elementary school at more than $250,000. Police said the damage at Westwood Elementary was discovered after three teens were taken into custody around 8 a.m. Monday on suspicion of shoplifting at a Dollar General store. Officers reported finding items from Westwood Elementary on one or more of the teens. Police then went to the school and found extensive damage throughout the building. Details of the damage weren’t immediately released Monday. Two 15-year-olds and a 16-year-old were in custody on suspicion of burglary, theft, conspiracy and felony property damage. Police were seeking a fourth person they believe was also involved. (Source cjonline.com)
Jewelry Store employee arrested for theft.
A Butler Truax employee is charged with stealing company money. Selma Police say an employee at the business Butler Truax, Daniel Mielke, is charged with first degree theft after stealing more than $2,500 from the company. Police say Mielke would order parts for jewelry and other repairs through the company and keep the money for the repaired items and not reimburse the company for the parts or money. Mielke’s bond is set at $150,000. (Source selmatimesjournal.com)
Burglary suspects caught on tape; get a way with $8,000 of merchandise from a Laguna Beach Lumber store.
Two suspects believed to also be responsible for the burglary of an Optical store earlier this month, hit again in the same fashion. (Source go.com)
Last week’s most popular news article —
Two arrested in Fraud Ring hitting The Home Depot in 12 States; over $300,000.
In an FBI statement released, the two men are believed to have been switching UPC codes on products, purchasing the items for pennies on the dollar. The men operated the scheme in 12 states from Florida to Michigan, involving over 100 Home Depot stores. The two men are accused of making more than 640 returns. They are also accused of enlisting nearly 20 accomplices to assist them in the fraud. (Source mlive.com)
West York ORC gang of 4 busted – including two store managers from Dollar General – Second ORC Gang this year
The West York Police department arrested four people Friday for their involvement in a retail theft ring that’s been going on since January. With the help from two store managers, $50,000 in merchandise was stolen from the Dollar General on West Market Street. In a search of one suspects apartment bins were sitting everywhere full of all kinds of merchandise. “More than enough to fill a truck. Anything dollar general sells you name it she took it,” says Musselman. This U-Haul is filled with $11,000 worth of merchandise, everything from shampoo to diapers, police say this is the second organized retail theft ring they’ve busted this year. “We have a lot of retail thefts with the giant and the dollar general but that dollar amount is unprecedented,” says Musselman. This is on the heels of the 122+ member ORC gang busted earlier this year. (Source fox43.com)
ORC suspect arrested for hitting Wal-Mart and other retailers in multiple states
An Iowa man wanted in two states for retail theft is now charged in Pennsylvania after what one investigator called an “elaborate scheme.” Jeffrey Womochil, 52, is facing three felony charges by state police in Indiana after his arrest Friday. Investigators said Womochil remains in the Indiana County Jail and could possibly be extradited in the coming weeks to Iowa and Nebraska, where he is wanted on felony charges as well. Police said Womochil purchased a bag of potato chips from the Indiana Walmart on Friday evening. They said he left the store, walked to his van, walked back in the store and filled his cart with expensive cookware and other items. Then, they said he walked out without paying for the items, while holding the receipt from the purchase of the chips. Once inside his van, police said he used equipment to scan the legitimate receipt, altered the figures to make it look like he purchased the cookware and other items, then printed the fake receipt. From there, police believed he planned to return the items to the Blairsville Wal-Mart. (Source wtae.com)
Thieves rush Livermore Outlets store, steal thousands of dollars worth of designer jeans.
In a brazen daytime robbery, as many as 10 suspects rushed a Livermore outlet store and stole thousands of dollars worth of designer jeans Thursday afternoon. Around 4 p.m., the group of thieves entered the True Religion Brand Jeans store at the Livermore Premium Outlet shopping center. The group overwhelmed the clerk and then snatched several pairs of jeans that run up to $300 a pair and put them into bags and under jackets before running out of the store. Getaway cars were waiting for the suspects and then drove off with about $5,000 of merchandise. (Source insidebayarea.com)
Couple in Coral Springs steal nearly $1000 worth of shoes from Burlington Coat.
The couple concealed 19 pairs of Coach shoes into bags they had brought into the store and walked out. The couple did manage to remove the security tags prior to concealing the merchandise. Coral Springs Police are hoping that release of the screen shot will help identify the suspects. (Source sun-sentinel.com)
Georgia Man Stole 195 Sticks of Deodorant.
A metro Georgia man has been charged with the theft of 195 deodorant sticks he had stolen from Target. Police in Cobb County obtained an arrest warrant that accuses a Marietta man of stealing $877.80 worth of deodorant between January and April. The warrant says the thefts took place at a Target store in Austell, where the man slipped past the checkout stations with the stolen goods. The warrant says the man will be charged with felony theft by shoplifting once he’s arrest. Cobb County jail records online show the man had not been booked as of Saturday morning. (Source ajc.com)
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