Amazon Cracks $100B Theft Crisis—U.S. Retail Giants to Implement New System at 5,000 Stores
Amazon and other major U.S. retailers are deploying a new theft-prevention system across approximately 5,000 stores to address what industry insiders describe as a more than $100 billion shrink crisis impacting profitability. The initiative is designed to curb rising organized retail crime and reduce losses by integrating advanced monitoring and loss-prevention technologies. Retailers hope the system will not only prevent theft at the point of sale but also provide actionable data to improve store security operations. This coordinated rollout reflects growing industry urgency to modernize anti-theft strategies amid a landscape of increasingly sophisticated criminal tactics.
Santa Rosa: 17 Arrested In Organized Retail Theft Operation Ahead Of Holidays
Santa Rosa law enforcement led a multi-agency retail theft crackdown that resulted in the arrest of 17 individuals suspected of shoplifting and organized theft across multiple stores in the area. Undercover officers and coordinated teams targeted theft hotspots at the Santa Rosa Marketplace and along Santa Rosa Avenue. Police said the operation was proactive and intelligence-driven, reflecting broader efforts to deter repeat offenders and organized crews impacting local merchants. Officials emphasized that the arrests send a message that retail theft will be met with robust enforcement to support businesses and community safety.
Burglars use SUV to smash into Logan Square Foot Locker store, Chicago police say
Chicago police are investigating a smash-and-grab burglary at a Foot Locker store in the Logan Square neighborhood where suspects forcibly broke into the business. Surveillance footage and early reports indicate the group used tools to shatter display cases and quickly stole merchandise before fleeing the scene. Authorities responded to the incident after store employees called in the robbery, and detectives are reviewing evidence to identify the suspects. The case adds to a spate of similar retail break-ins that have alarmed both merchants and local law enforcement.
One person killed after U-Haul truck explodes in Idaho retail shopping center parking lot
A U-Haul truck exploded in the parking lot of a shopping center in Lewiston, Idaho, early Saturday morning, killing one person and causing damage to nearby businesses. The explosion occurred near an Old Navy store and drew fire and police responders as well as investigators seeking to determine the cause. Initial findings suggest the blast was accidental, possibly linked to flammable materials stored inside the truck, and no criminal activity is suspected. Nearby structures including a hotel and retail outlets sustained damage, and authorities have urged bystanders to avoid the area while cleanup continues.
Person of interest in Brown University shooting being released without charges: Mayor
Authorities detained a person of interest in connection with a mass shooting at Brown University that left two students dead and nine others wounded during a final exam review session. Providence Police and federal agents used leads and investigation techniques to locate and take the individual into custody for questioning. However, law enforcement later released the person of interest after determining there was insufficient evidence to hold them as a suspect. The investigation remains ongoing as officials continue to search for the actual gunman and piece together what led to the tragic attack.
A Voice That Made Us Better: Remembering Stuart Rosenthal
By: Amber Bradley, Editor-in-Chief, TalkLPnews
The loss prevention industry lost one of its most genuine voices last week with the sudden passing of Stuart Rosenthal. Whether you knew Stuart from his decades in retail—starting as a detective at Rich's Department Store and working his way through Bloomingdale's, Toys R Us, and Ross—or from his recent role as Vice President of Global Alpha Business, you knew him as someone who genuinely cared. About the industry. About technology and education. About people.
Stuart had a gift that's rarer than you might think: he made everyone feel like they mattered.
Even those of us who didn't know him as well as others never felt like outsiders in his presence. He was warm, pleasant, and possessed that dry humor that could crack up a room without warning. He had a way of listening—really listening—that made you feel heard and valued, whether you were seeking career advice, discussing the latest in RFID technology, or just catching up at a conference.
His passion for education and professional development wasn't just talk. Stuart believed in lifting others up, in making our industry more knowledgeable and more caring. He championed continuing education and technology advancement because he understood that a better-informed industry is a better industry, period.
The mark Stuart leaves on loss prevention will be felt for years to come. Not just in the technology solutions he advocated for or the professionals he mentored, but in the example he set: that you can be knowledgeable and kind, that you can be professional and personable, that success and genuine human connection aren't mutually exclusive.
Our deepest sympathies to Stuart's family, friends, and the countless colleagues whose lives he touched. The industry is better because Stuart was in it, and we're all grateful for the time we had with him. Read his full obituary here.
Home Depot exposed access to internal systems for a year, says researcher
A security researcher said Home Depot exposed access to its internal systems for a year after one of its employees published a private access token online, likely by mistake. The researcher found the exposed token and tried to privately alert Home Depot to its security lapse but was ignored for several weeks.
The exposure is now fixed after TechCrunch contacted company representatives last week.
Security researcher Ben Zimmermann told TechCrunch that, in early November, he found a published GitHub access token belonging to a Home Depot employee, which was exposed sometime in early 2024.
Popular grocer adds ridiculous rule to prevent theft
“Smile, you’re on camera.”
That’s what the sign says when I walk into my neighborhood supermarket.
And while I recognize that security cameras are not a new thing, I can’t help but notice that my local supermarket seems to have more of them lately.
In fact, it’s a little unnerving watching yourself being recorded while you’re trying to manage the self-checkout lane. Anyone who’s ever used one of those knows how quirky they can be.
But these days, they’re designed to make you feel like a hardened criminal if one of your items doesn’t scan correctly.
Could Dunkin Cashier sue after Stabbing by Unhappy Customer?
Stabbing an employee may seem like an overreaction to finding out she is out of your favorite donut. In fact it’s hard to see how the event relates to the job at all. A case involving a cashier for Dunkin Donuts explains when assaults arise out of employment for purposes of worker’s compensation claims in Georgia.
The employee in that case told a man in the drive-through that the items he ordered were no longer available. He left the drive-through and came to the counter. He complained that she had been rude and demanded to talk to a manager. He kept complaining, and according to the cashier, put his fingers in her face.
R.O.I. is the language of Capital
Here’s’ how to speak it…
Every loss prevention executive knows the drill. You finally find the right solution to tackle shrink. It’s practical, it’s effective, and it could change the game. But when you sit down with the CFO, the very first question is always the same: what’s the return?
At the APEX conference, Gatekeeper’s Craig Greenberg led a session called Unexpected ROI from Existing Technology. Retail leaders told real stories about how their tools did more than stop theft, improved operational efficiency, kept people safe, and even built stronger ties with the community. The big takeaway was simple: technology is often worth more than the reason you first bought it, and that’s the kind of story that gets noticed in the boardroom.
Beyond Shrink-Only Thinking
Panelists Alisa Dart (Family Dollar) and Eddie Gonzalez (Northgate Markets) agreed on one key point: if you only measure ROI by shrink, you’re missing the bigger story.
Kentucky AG boosts fight against retail crime for holidays
Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is expanding the fight against organized retail crime ahead of the holiday shopping season.
On Friday, Coleman discussed the creation of an Organized Retail Crime Unit, located in Middletown, in the AG’s Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI) at a roundtable with law enforcement, lawmakers, retail, and other partners at the Walmart Supercenter.
According to the Kentucky Retail Federation, Kentucky lost more than $2 billion in a single year because of organized retail crime. KRF also reported a 30% increase in organized retail crime last year.
Crooks have access to more data now than ever before, Visa leader says
Organizations are spending large amounts of money on cyber and scam protection systems, speakers said at an Axios Live event this week.
Retail crime and cyber scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated in the AI era, putting businesses under mounting pressure to protect themselves and their customers.
Axios' Sam Sabin spoke with Visa chief risk and client services officer Paul Fabara and Georgia Attorney General Christopher Carr at the event, sponsored by RILA Communities Foundation.
2025 Workplace Violence Trends: Why Companies Are Prioritizing De-Escalation Training
If you have been paying attention to workplace news lately, you have probably noticed a shift. A lot of companies are talking more openly about safety, conflict, employee behavior, and something you did not hear much a decade ago: de-escalation training.
As we head into 2026, workplace violence is no longer treated as a rare situation that happens somewhere else. It has become a real concern across industries, city sizes, and job types.
But here is the important part. Businesses are not responding with harsher rules or tighter discipline alone. What they really want is prevention.
TalkLP NYC is almost here, and the guest list keeps getting better. Expect a night built for real conversations, easy networking, and a rooftop view that never disappoints. A big thank you to Panoptyc for sponsoring the event and helping bring the LP community together.
Retailers and Sponsoring Solution Providers RSVP below…
The United States of Fraud
always get a kick out of people's reactions when I bring up what I've come to think of as "mini crimes" against big businesses — small acts of deviance that average shoppers commit without really even thinking about it.
At first, there's usually denial: "No, I would never engage in the slightest level of fraud." But pretty quickly, the confessions start to roll in.
"OK, I sometimes ring up my organic apples as regular at the grocery store, and sure, I've returned an item after wearing it a time or two. Honestly, I'd forgotten sneaking snacks into the movie theater was a no-no."
Affordable AI Is Here. Are You Ready?
AI isn’t just for tech giants anymore. It’s becoming affordable, practical, and surprisingly easy for everyday retailers to deploy.
The old belief that AI requires huge budgets and long integrations is officially outdated.
Modern tools plug into existing systems, automate painful manual work, and deliver measurable ROI faster than most legacy tech.
The retailers adopting now are widening the gap, while those waiting for “the right moment” may find themselves too far behind to catch up.
The shift is happening fast, and the smart players are already leaning in.
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.
