Retail Rundown 10/23/25

October 23, 2025

 

A five-person, knife-wielding shoplifting gang has been targeting New York City supermarkets since July, stealing high-value deli meats, seafood and other items in rapid hit-and-run style. They’ve struck over 100 stores, say grocers, and local owners complain that the NYPD is failing to arrest or prosecute the offenders in any consistent way. Retailers have formed informal communications (such as WhatsApp groups) to alert each other of strikes, while a small pilot anti-theft program in the Bronx shows some promise but hasn’t been expanded city-wide. The crew remains free, and grocers feel increasingly exposed as their losses mount and employee safety becomes more of a concern.

A theft incident at the Eastside Food Co‑op in northeast Minneapolis caused major damage: the perpetrators tampered with the store’s rooftop refrigeration piping early one morning, forcing the store to discard all frozen foods, dairy and meats. The loss has left shelves empty, disrupted operations, and been described as costing the co-op hundreds of thousands of dollars while it serves around 1,000 customers daily. Police are investigating the incident; no arrests had been reported at the time of the story. The store is trying to maintain normal hours but acknowledges the disruption is severe and will take time to recover from both the loss and reputational hit.

Fresno police say the man at the center of an officer’s gun-grab investigation died by suicide during a subsequent encounter with officers. Authorities later identified him as a former Madera County deputy. Investigators reported that evidence indicates the fatal shot was self-inflicted rather than fired by police. The case remains under review pending autopsy results and standard internal procedures.

A newly uncovered cyber-fraud campaign has targeted global retailers’ gift-card systems by exploiting cloud services rather than traditional endpoint malware. The attackers employ phishing and smishing to harvest employee credentials, then use access to corporate cloud systems (such as Microsoft 365, SharePoint, OneDrive) to locate internal gift-card issuance workflows and issue unauthorized high-value cards. The campaign is designed to leave minimal forensic traces and enables monetization via gift-card markets or money-mules, bypassing typical cyber-defenses aimed at endpoints and network perimeters. The authors warn that such cloud-centric fraud tactics require retailers and issuers to strengthen identity and behavioral monitoring, as the attack surface shifts away from classic malware to trusted services misuse.

A former employee of a Walmart store in Romeoville, Illinois, has been accused of embezzling nearly $136,000 in November 2022 and, after failing to appear for more than a year in court, was placed on electronic monitoring as a condition of her pre-trial release. The woman allegedly took the money from cash recycler machines while working a night shift at the store, and subsequently failed to appear in court for approximately sixteen months. When she was finally arrested and held for a short stint, a judge ordered the monitoring condition due to her absence and the severity of the charges (theft and burglary felonies). The case highlights internal theft risk in retail settings and challenges in holding employees accountable when court-system delays and non-appearance occur.

Why We Read Guilt on the Innocent

TalkLPnews Host Amber Bradley sits down with Dave Thompson, President of Wicklander-Zulawski, about Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Talking to Strangers, and why we, as interrogators, sometimes read guilt on the innocent. Gladwell certainly takes issue with lots of interrogation techniques and Dave provides his expert opinion that helps clarify what retail loss prevention professionals need to know. (NEED to know to ensure the odds of a false confession are low)Do you know what confirmation bias is? Or mis-classification?

If you don’t – you should. Be better. (and sign up for a WZ seminar ASAP – do that here).

Amazon Flex drivers accused of stealing $60K in Amazon packages

Two Altoona residents are accused of stealing nearly $60,000 in Amazon packages while working as Amazon Flex drivers, Ankeny police said.

Brandon and Madison Kelderman turned themselves in Wednesday morning and are each charged with first-degree theft, a class C felony.

Advertisement Police said the Keldermans, as Flex drivers, used their personal vehicles to pick up packages from an Ankeny distribution center and then failed to deliver them.

The alleged thefts occurred between Aug. 22 and Sept. 7 after Amazon reported a spike in undelivered parcels.

Target previews how it will use AI to fuel its next retail phase

When Target’s technology team gathered for its annual Demo Day, the event wasn’t just a showcase of software. It was a preview of how one of America’s largest retailers plans to merge artificial intelligence (AI) and human ingenuity to redefine the store experience.

In a recent company blog post, chief information and product officer Prat Vemana said technology is becoming central to how Target operates and competes.

“Our moment to push Target forward is here,” Vemana said in a Q&A for Target’s corporate site.

Retail Cyberattacks Reveal Hidden Weaknesses In Supply Chain Security

The recent arrests of four suspects linked to cyberattacks on major retailers like Marks & Spencer, Co-op and Harrods serve as a stark reminder of how vulnerable today’s supply chains truly are.

These attacks, which caused massive disruption earlier this year and reportedly cost M&S alone around $300 million in damages, highlight a disturbing trend in the cybersecurity landscape. Threat actors are no longer simply going after individual organizations.

They are targeting interconnected networks, exploiting trust within supply chains, and leveraging the weakest link to gain access to critical systems.

The retail industry’s favorite rooftop is back! Join TalkLP in New York City during the NRF BIG Show for the can’t-miss TalkLP NYC Rooftop Reception, where serious networking meets skyline views. Expect powerful conversations, industry insights, and high-impact connections with retail’s top minds. Space is limited, so grab your spot and connect with the leaders shaping the future of loss prevention and asset protection.

Retailers & Solution Provider Sponsors ONLY

Class-action lawsuit alleges Casey’s not honoring in-store discounts

A class-action lawsuit filed in Iowa is accusing the gas station chain of charging customers full price on items advertised at a discount in stores in five states.

The suit filed Aug. 28 in Polk County includes photos of promotional signage advertising a 2-for-$4 sale on cans of Four Loko beverages on July 10 and a receipt showing the customer paid $3.50 apiece for two beverages at a Casey’s General Stores location in Humeston, Iowa.

McDonald’s employee accused of shooting customer arguing about wait time, sheriff says

An employee of a McDonald’s in Florida has been accused of shooting at two customers who were arguing about how long it would take to get food.

According to an affidavit from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, 21-year-old Yoan Soto was working an overnight shift at the drive-thru window when two men pulled up trying to order.

Peter Story, 19, and Nicholas Jones, 18, became argumentative over the drive-thru speaker when Soto told them the restaurant was extremely busy and not accepting additional orders at that time.

Three Charged In $9K Multi-Town Shoplifting Spree

Three Brooklyn residents, including a juvenile, were arrested after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars in merchandise from several New Jersey stores, police said.

Stafford Township Police reported that on October 16, officers responded to Dick’s Sporting Goods on Stafford Park Boulevard around 5:25 p.m. for a shoplifting incident.

The suspects — Arnol Gomez Vasquez, 21, Owen Quintero Ortiz, 19, and a male juvenile — were taken into custody after allegedly stealing about $1,250 in merchandise from the store.

Overcoming Small Business Security Challenges with Intelligent, Direct-to-Cloud Video Surveillance

For small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) operating in sectors like quick-service restaurants (QSRs), convenience stores, retail, and finance, navigating the landscape of security threats has become a critical aspect of managing your operations. March Networks knows that intelligent video surveillance is not just a safety measure—it’s an essential strategy for enhancing your overall business resilience and operational efficiency. This blog will discuss:

  • Top Security Challenges for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

  • The Role of Intelligent Video Surveillance Benefits of Direct-to-Cloud Systems

  • ROI in Video Surveillance Empowering SMBs with Intelligent Solutions

Paso Robles Police arrest four in organized retail theft

Paso Robles Police Department responded to a commercial theft at Ulta Beauty, in Paso Robles.

The suspects reportedly fled the scene, prompting a rapid response.

With assistance from the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, officers located a vehicle matching the description of the suspects, which contained over $1,000 in stolen merchandise.

Investigators determined the four men were part of a suspected South American retail theft ring.

How Retail Companies can Thwart Cybercrime During Peak Shopping Periods

It’s no secret that cybercrime is a growing threat to every organization, and retail companies are no exception. In fact, 80% of retailers experienced a cyberattack, according to a 2024 report, and 22% faced as many as 15 attacks. These incidents don’t just result in lost sales: they can significantly damage brand reputation and erode customer trust.

In particular, peak shopping periods like back-to-school and the holiday season create the perfect environment for cybercriminals to thrive — and carry out even more attacks.

LOVE the Retail Rundown? SHARE IT!

Simply forward this email to your team or colleagues > they scan the QR code or click below to sign up and BOOM > everyone is smarter.

BC