Retail shrink, theft changed little in 2022

But more retailers are concerned about escalating violence in stores, which experts say carries other costs beyond shrink.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 27, 2023

American Eagle sues Westfield San Francisco Centre over ‘neglect’ and ‘turning a blind eye to rampant criminal activity’

But the legal maneuver could be complicated by the mall owner’s decision earlier this year to hand the keys of the property over to its lender.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 15, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

The state of loss prevention in retail

The types of losses attributed to retail theft has become more apparent — as is the need for more in-depth reporting and prevention strategies. 

By Retail Dive staff

Forever 21 data breach impacts over half a million people

An unauthorized third party accessed some of the retailer's systems between January and March. The company is offering identity theft services to those impacted.

By Xanayra Marin-Lopez • Sept. 7, 2023

Ulta says locked fragrance cabinets are helping sales

The cases, which are in about half of the beauty retailer’s stores, are reducing theft and keeping product in stock.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 25, 2023

NRF launches digital risk, innovation center

Through the initiative, the trade organization will develop guidelines on key technology issues, including cybersecurity and digital fraud prevention.

By Xanayra Marin-Lopez • Aug. 7, 2023

Estée Lauder takes down some systems following cyberattack

ALPHV, the ransomware threat actor taking credit for the attack, threatened to reveal more information about the data it claims to have stolen from the cosmetics conglomerate.

By Matt Kapko • July 20, 2023

Are retailers afraid of being ‘woke’?

Brand values, diversity efforts and customer loyalty are put to the test as extremists come for corporate America.

By Daphne Howland • June 20, 2023

New York AG says Target pulling Pride items was ‘wrong’

In a letter to CEO Brian Cornell, New York Attorney General Letitia James and 14 lawmakers urged “courage” in the face of rising attacks on LGBTQ+ rights.

By Daphne Howland • June 14, 2023

Target stores safe after a series of bomb threats

In Oklahoma City, messages reportedly invoked the 1995 domestic terrorist attack on the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

By Daphne Howland • June 13, 2023

How Target went from loud and proud — to silent

The mass retailer remained quiet after pulling Pride merchandise from some stores out of safety concerns. LGBTQ+ groups, human rights advocates and marketers say that sends the wrong message.

By Daphne Howland • June 5, 2023

Ulta to put fragrance behind locked cabinets in 70% of stores thanks to increased theft

The beauty retailer, with Q1 sales growth topping 12%, said it’s investing in security guards and police presence in parking lots to deter crime.

By Cara Salpini • May 26, 2023

NYC focuses on repeat offenders, social services to combat surge in retail theft

Just 327 serial shoplifters accounted for a third of the more than 22,000 retail theft arrests made in the city last year, officials said.

By Daphne Howland • May 18, 2023

When the mall is the target: The state of retail and mass shootings

Stores and malls are especially vulnerable to random attacks like the recent killing of eight people at the Allen Premium Outlets in Texas.

By Daphne Howland • May 11, 2023

‘MetaBirkin’ NFT creator to appeal Hermès trademark verdict

A jury ruled against Mason Rothschild and his drawings of fur-covered luxury bags. His attorneys say the new technology doesn’t cancel the First Amendment’s protection of artwork.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 10, 2023

Grocers weigh the pros and cons of scan-and-go

Despite Wegmans’ decision to abandon the technology last year, other retailers continue to offer the convenience-focused service — and more are showing interest in it, industry officials said.

By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 25, 2023

Patagonia demands injunction, damages over Gap fleece designs

The outdoor gear brand said it has previously warned Gap to stop copying its designs, which even one Gap customer flagged as a “ripoff.”

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 28, 2022

Senate mulls bill targeting online sales of counterfeits and stolen goods

The INFORM Consumers Act, which would require marketplaces to verify seller identities, was added to a defense spending authorization. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 12, 2022

Shrink costs retailers over $94B in 2021: NRF

In response to shrinkage concerns, retailers expect to spend more on loss prevention and technology, a new NRF survey found.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 15, 2022

Amazon sues 10K Facebook group admins over fake reviews

The company stressed the need for collaboration between businesses, social media platforms and law enforcement to prevent fraudulent reviews. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 20, 2022

Adore Me's uphill battle against fakes on Amazon

The DTC lingerie company says the e-commerce giant drags its feet because it wants the sales that counterfeiters provide.

By Daphne Howland • July 7, 2022

Firms tackle ballooning buy now, pay later fraud

In another sign of BNPL's skyrocketing popularity, companies that tackle fraud are rolling out tools to address risk related to the payment option.

By Caitlin Mullen • March 1, 2022

Citing store theft, 20 major retail CEOs call for Congress to pass marketplace transparency legislation

Millions of dollars worth of stolen goods are being sold online by hard-to-identify third-party sellers, according to the Buy Safe America Coalition.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 10, 2021

With omicron landing in the US, do retailers actually need the vaccine mandate?

The National Retail Federation won a stay against the government's plan to have big companies immunize or test their employees. That squanders a chance to thwart the pandemic, experts say.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 6, 2021

Creating a balance: fraud prevention strategies and revenue optimization

With fraud losses totaling $7 billion in the U.S. and $30 billion globally, retailers must find ways to protect their bottom line from erosion while growing the top line through sales.

Oct. 11, 2021

A smart decision to switch to smart safe solutions

As they grew, Bob's Stores needed to upgrade their cash management practices. Learn how they found efficiency through new systems.

By Kerry Williams • Sept. 27, 2021