Loss Prevention MediaThe Authority on All Things Loss Prevention and Asset Protection

Amid rising retail theft and violence driven by legal, social, and economic shifts, retailers and security professionals must adapt strategies, collaborate across sectors, and advocate for reform to restore safety and accountability in retail environments.

Consumer spending on Mother’s Day is projected to reach $34.1 billion in 2025, with 84% of U.S. adults celebrating and prioritizing thoughtful gifts and experiences despite economic uncertainty.

Retailers face rising teen-driven disruptions fueled by social media, prompting calls for stronger security, community partnerships, and balanced policies.

Blain’s Farm & Fleet, led by Dan Boutelle, exemplifies community impact through decades of support for the American Heart Association—raising over $6.8 million, hosting annual charity events, and implementing lifesaving AED programs that have already saved eight lives in their stores.

Despite official crime stats suggesting retail theft is down, new research shows it's actually rising—underreporting, shifting policies, and strained police resources are masking the true scale of the problem and fueling a misleading public narrative.

Research is a systematic, evidence-based approach to understanding the world that helps us overcome personal biases, adapt to change, broaden our perspectives, support arguments with credible data, and determine what works and why—especially in fields like loss prevention.

Loss prevention professionals face unique mental health challenges due to high-stress, high-risk job environments, and accessible therapy options can help them build resilience and sustain long-term well-being.

Organized retail crime has evolved into a highly coordinated, often violent operation targeting high-value items like luxury handbags—but with innovative solutions like CIS’s Gen6 SP and The Boot, retailers are now fighting back with smarter, faster, and more secure technology.

Investigators must be mindful that memory is malleable and can be unintentionally influenced by leading questions, confirmatory feedback, or post-event discussion—making neutral, open-ended interviewing essential to preserve accuracy and integrity in any investigation.

Flock Safety empowers retailers to protect employees from violence and crime through AI-powered solutions like license plate recognition, gunshot detection, and video surveillance, shifting the burden of safety from staff to smart, proactive technology.