We are collectively barreling into 2025, and while it may feel like the last year went by in the blink of an eye, there was much that happened within the loss prevention industry. On this last day of 2024, take some time to reflect with the top ten stories on our site from the year.
1. How Advanced Analytics Can Protect Employees’ Mental Health
Mental health is a huge concern for retailers today. With increasing levels of retail crime and violence, the chances of a retail employee suffering from PTSD or other mental health issues as a result of events they’ve witnessed on the job might be higher than ever. This article addresses the current mental health crisis in retail, and how advanced analytics can help. Read more here.
2. Georgia Retailers ORC Alliance Hosts Its First Law Enforcement Symposium
On May 1st, the Georgia Retailers Organized Crime Alliance (GROC) hosted its inaugural Law Enforcement Symposium, marking a significant step forward in the fight against organized retail crime (ORC) in Georgia. The event took place at the Cobb County Police Public Safety Training Facility in Austell, Georgia. Read more here.
3. Understanding the Latest Cyber Threats in Retail Environments
According to the latest Retail & Hospitality ISAC Intelligence Trends Summary report, the top reported threats for Q1 2024 were phishing, fraud, and brand impersonation. Understanding the risk posed by these threats can help loss prevention professionals integrate appropriate mitigation measures into their overall LP strategies. Read more here.
4. ORCAs in Action Summer Road Trip Webinar Available On-Demand
Watch this now on-demand webinar to hear about great cases, events, and information, and take a cross-country tour of ORC partnerships from New York to New Mexico. With an outstanding lineup of industry leaders and subject matter experts, this session promises to inspire everyone. Read more here.
5. Bank the Blue Provides Life-Saving Mental Health Services for Law Enforcement
In just the first three months of 2024, at least 163 police officers committed suicide in the United States—and that doesn’t count retired officers, who still must deal with the effects of trauma long after they hang up their badge. Kelly Krauchun, who worked as an attorney representing officers from various law enforcement agencies in criminal and administrative proceedings, knows this all too well—which is why she along with Former Chicago Police Department Sergeant and Owner of Blue Star Security Anthony Varchetto and three others created Bank the Blue to support officers’ mental health. Read more here.
6. NRF PROTECT 2024 Officially Begins in Long Beach
NRF PROTECT 2024 officially kicked off on June 4 as attendees gathered in Long Beach, California for two different networking events hosted by the National Retail Federation (NRF). For those ready to get the party started early, there was a Grill and Chill event poolside at the Hyatt Regency in the afternoon with burgers, brats, and beer for people to enjoy. Later, attendees went to the Long Beach Convention Center for the Carnival at the Cove Opening Party. Read more here.
7. Strategic Cargo Theft: What It Is, How It Started, and What You Can Do to Stop It
A new form of theft has developed over the past two to three years that is bringing the transportation world to its knees: strategic cargo theft. Strategic cargo theft is defined as deceiving a party at various points within the supply chain to hand over their freight to thieves. The thief never touches the property where the freight is stored, the trailer it is on, or the actual freight itself. Read more here.
8. How the City of Brotherly Love Is Coming Together to Solve Retail Theft
They call Philadelphia the “City of Brotherly Love.” However, it also presents significant opportunities for retail theft—which is why, after the fatal stabbing of Loss Prevention Officer Eric Harrison at a Macy’s store, the Philadelphia DA’s Office created the city’s first Organized Retail and House Theft Task Force. Read more here.
9. Chicago Area Detectives Investigate ORC Group of Romani Travelers
What happens when a group of individuals believe they have been blessed with the “divine right” to steal? How does this influence the methods and incentives of those involved? How does it impact the investigation? A case in the Chicago market recently culminated in an extensive operation that gave us that answer loud and clear. Read more here.
10. Chief Resilience Officer: The Next Opportunity for Loss Prevention Executives?
While the term resilience is not necessarily a common one in the retail loss prevention industry, this definition alludes to many of the functions within the retail enterprise that LP professionals and their peers are familiar with, such as asset protection, risk management, crisis planning, disaster recovery, and business continuity. Resilience, as it has come to be used over the past several years, includes all these functions and more that are coordinated at the C-level to build an organization that not only survives crises, but thrives following business disruption. This is where the chief resilience officer (CRO) role comes into play. Read more here.
The LPM team wishes everyone a Happy New Year’s! We are looking forward to continuing to provide you with high quality content on the biggest topics in loss prevention through the new year.
