As I reflect on the initiatives driven by the RILA LP team in 2011, two things stand out to me about the loss prevention profession. First, retail LP continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Second, LP executives are stepping out of their corporate silos to collaborate with industry peers and external stakeholders. Gone are the days of LP professionals living their professional lives as crime stoppers. Retail crime remains a significant risk that will require our ongoing attention. But, today there is much more to retail LP than fighting crime. Thanks in part to corporate reorgs and budget constraints,…

After more than a year in my current role at the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), I'm reminded every day how there is no longer a clear divide between food and non-food when it comes to issues within asset protection, technology, or even the supply chain. The business needs of our retailing industry go well beyond the confines of definitions, and I'm motivated by our food retail members to construct and offer engagement opportunities across the aforementioned roles, including safety, risk management, crisis management, loss prevention, and food defense. In light of the challenges among these issues, one of my immediate…

Arlington, VA - November 15, 2011 - This time last year it seemed as though momentum was starting to build and the economic recovery was making slow but steady headway. As early as the spring retailers and analysts alike felt we were turning the corner and we were on our way to a much improved holiday shopping season. Since then, inflation, high commodity prices, the slumping housing market and high unemployment has reminded us that we don't in-fact have a crystal ball and that the way back is going to take time and patience. Now, does this mean that the…

Last week RILA joined forces with Operation Blessing to organize a large-scale clean-up and rebuilding effort by the retail industry in Joplin Missouri, which was struck by a devastating tornado this past May. Over 250 volunteers from America's leading retailers visited Joplin, July 13-15, to help with the ongoing rebuilding efforts underway in the small Midwestern city. RILA, members of the RILA Workplace Safety Committee and Disaster Recovery and Preparedness Committee, and local field-level associates from among RILA's retail members including Dollar General, Lowes, The Home Depot, Sears, Target, Walgreens and Walmart, participated in the industry-wide volunteer initiative.   …

While the new Congress brings many changes to Washington, one thing remains unchanged—the need for federal legislation to help combat organized retail crime (ORC). Loss prevention executives continue to be challenged by the increasingly sophisticated schemes used by organized theft groups to defraud retailers, evade detection, and maximize profits. Retailers continue to pour millions of dollars into deterrence, investigation, and prosecution strategies. These challenges linger as do the ongoing retailer investments despite the best efforts of online marketplaces, most notably eBay. Let me be clear. We acknowledge the progress eBay has made over the past year through its PROACT program.…