Target, Walmart, and other retailers get shocking crime news | TheStreet
Organized retail crime is posing a significant challenge to the retail industry, beyond the familiar image of a teenager shoplifting a candy bar. This isn’t a solo act; it involves sophisticated criminal enterprises orchestrating large-scale thefts from multiple stores. The criminals then sell the stolen goods through various channels, including online auctions, flea markets, and even to other retailers. This issue has gained attention as dramatic videos of organized smash-and-grab thefts circulate on social media.
Retail giants like Walmart, Target, and Walgreens have voiced concerns over theft, attributing it to thinner profit margins in their quarterly earnings calls. The National Retail Federation initially reported that nearly half of the industry’s $94.5 billion shrink (losses) in 2021 was due to organized retail crime. However, upon further examination, the data also included losses from process errors and inventory issues unrelated to crime. The revised report suggests that organized retail crime accounts for a smaller portion—about 36%—of overall shrink.
Despite the concerns raised by retail leaders, the data shows that while shrink has increased, it hasn’t skyrocketed. The average shrink rate for FY 2022 increased to 1.6%, up from 1.4% the previous year. Companies are implementing various measures to tackle theft, from increased security and policing efforts to testing higher-tech solutions utilizing artificial intelligence……..
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Rising Dough
In the dynamic landscape of retail, combating organized retail crime is essential for companies to maintain healthy profit margins. Reflecting on the article, consider the impact of theft on a company’s bottom line. How might a retailer strike a balance between implementing effective theft prevention measures and providing a seamless shopping experience for customers? Think about the role of technology, the psychology of theft prevention, and the ethical considerations involved in safeguarding businesses against organized retail crime.
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With new an improved tech I feel as if giant retail stores like Walmart,target.etc can implement higher scanning technology and security without causing a scene like having 6 bodyguards at the door.due too the fact that theft is a setback in its own and now it negatively effects a stores revenue due too lost of product .
With the invention of improved technology, many businesses aren’t secured with high-quality keys, so creating opportunites for smart thieves to find an entry and easy exit which can allow businesses to catch more thieves.
With a good source of technology and a new guard on their security this would help them out a lot in the near future to stop future robberies/people stealing from these stores. The constant stealing does put these stores in a setback which would have a lot of negative impact as time goes on.
Retailers can us things such as advanced surveillance cameras more though there store and hire some on the job security to help lower the crime rates because people will notice these things and be scared to ever commit a crime in these stores again.