The cost of cyber security for retailers seems to double year after year. The cost of a data breach in this country in 2014 cost the retailer an average of 3.5 million, and that was a 15% increase from the previous year. Not only do retailers have to worry about data breaches in their business, but shoplifting, employee theft, administrative errors and vendor fraud are major problems they have to deal with year after year. The losses for retailers in 2014 amounted to $44 billion, it is no wonder then, that year after year retail executives say they plan to increase their loss prevention budgets for their business.
Counterfeit Goods and Trademark Enforcement
By aggressively protecting our brand through enforcement of trademark rights, loss prevention professionals can combat the spread of counterfeiting and retail fraud.
In the early part of November 2002, we received a call from an informant indicating she had information on counterfeit Tiffany & Co. merchandise sold at “home parties” in a suburb of a major city in Ohio. The caller claimed that one woman organized the parties and made a large amount of money in this counterfeit goods business. She also said that the local police had been notified and, if Tiffany was interested, were willing to support an investigation.
Our senior legal and security executives reviewed the caller’s information and the decision was made to go forward with the investigation. Within days we set up a meeting in Ohio with the detective in charge, the informant, and an undercover female police officer. At the meeting it was decided to attend an upcoming party where counterfeit Tiffany & Co. merchandise would be sold.
Shoplifting suspect dies hours after confrontation with Walmart employees
Lakeland police said a 64-year-old man accused of trying to leave Walmart with $380 worth of DVDs without paying for them has died.
Officers were sent to the store off U.S. 98 to investigate early Sunday morning. While en route, dispatchers told officers the suspect was not breathing and CPR was being administered. The first responding officer began life-saving measures, inclusing using a defibrillator and taking over CPR until medics arrived.
The man, later identified as Kenneth E. Wisham, of Lakeland, was taken to Lakeland Regional Health in critical condition.
According to the investigation, Wisham was trying to leave the store with a shopping cart full of DVDs when he was confronted by employees. Officials said Wisham ran off, and during the chase, he fell to the ground and was detained by employees. That’s when employees realized he wasn’t breathing and called 911.
Wisham was pronounced dead at the hospital Sunday afternoon.
The cause of death has not yet been determined by the medical examiner.
Observation skills, quick thinking help prevent shoplifting
About 27 million shoplifters live in the United States today, with offenders spanning generations.
According to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP), that means 1 in 11 people have shoplifted. There is no “typical” offender.
“It could be anybody,” said Nathan Hershley, the security supervisor at East Hills Shopping Center. “I’ve personally dealt with (shoplifters) from 14 years old, clear up into their 50s.”
Shoplifters target all types of stores, according to NASP — from drug stores to supermarkets, convenience stores and even thrift shops.
Store employees and customers who shop there play an important role in helping catch anyone suspected of stealing. Staying alert for suspicious behavior and catching the suspect(s) on photo or video can help authorities make an arrest.
“It’s all about the information we get, so get as detailed of a description as possible,” Hershley said. “That allows us to find the suspects, and communicate with the police department better.”
Local police said helping catch shoplifters helps not only the store, but the whole community.
I don’t care about solving social problems. I don’t care about saving the world (okay maybe I really do). But I cannot fix many of these things myself. I cannot make shoplifters change their evil trade for real work. But I can make shoplifters go somewhere else and leave my customers alone. 
Over the past five years or so, social media platforms have exploded. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram are essentially a one stop shop for all your news, entertainment and whatever your Aunt Dolly is doing today… Like most Americans, I visit these websites frequently throughout the day (although, I am weaning myself off this addiction slowly, but surely). Businesses have also been quick to jump on the bandwagon and have found that direct to consumer marketing, especially the free kind of marketing, can really help a small business soar. With so many people, places and things interconnected, you can see how the Loss Prevention Industry uses these platforms to not only aid in investigations, but to help track down fencing operations, retail ORC groups and even dishonest employees.
Ever notice how so many different shoplifters, from various backgrounds and demographics all share similar characteristics in the manner in which they steal, the product that they steal and the methods used to conduct their acts? Well, I did and it really got me thinking. Why was this so? Is there some large underground shoplifting network where this information is swapped amongst the thieving brethren? Kind of.
What is the most important factor to consider when you make a shoplifting apprehension?
Using Facebook, their own websites and other social media outlets, many retailers have for years posted
