Retail Risk & Crisis Management

With respect to the prospect of a deadly pandemic, whether it occurs in nature or from terrorists, most scientists suggest that we are living on a major fault line. They predict a big one is coming, but there is just no telling when. Will the coronavirus be the one?

A comprehensive approach to the active shooter threat is critical, suggests new research by two Minnesota criminology professors who compiled a detailed database on “mass shooters” in the US. That research suggests that active shooter training may, in some cases, actually be training the shooter.

As a business risk, it’s probably hard for a retailer to think it makes sense to embark on a major pandemic planning initiative given perceived more pressing business issues. Still, security leaders shouldn’t let a lack of attention prevent an annual program review of its readiness. But what might such LP department preparations include?

Mindless though most Internet chatter is, paying attention to what is being said online has become critical for retailers today—to protect brands, avert threats, respond to crisis, and improve store operations. Most recently—and dramatically—the imperative was underscored when multiple active shooter plots against retailers were averted after threatening online posts came to light.

What should retailers be doing to prepare for the next disaster? Coming off a year of devastating weather events in which just one of the many hurricanes was estimated to have cost retailers $700 million, it’s not a surprise that the topic was in focus at the NRF Protect conference in June where executives from Target and Disney Stores shared how they are getting ready for future disaster events.