STORES Magazine - August 2008 - (Page 88)

INSIDE TRACK Compiled by Anastasia Van Engelen NRFnews ORC Legislation Introduced IN AN ATTEMPT to stop a growing problem that costs retailers and consumers as much as $30 billion a year, legislation has been introduced in Congress that would make organized retail crime a violation of federal law. The Organized Retail Crime Act of 2008, developed with help from NRF, is sponsored by Rep. Brad Ellsworth (DInd.), a former county sheriff who dealt with the issue during his career in law enforcement. The bill would define organized retail crime as “the acquiring of retail merchandise by illegal means for the purpose of reselling the items” and would make such activity a federal crime. Among other provisions, the sale of stolen or counterfeit gift cards, or items with falsified UPC or RFID chips, would be considered fraud. Additionally, the operation of online marketplaces such as auction sites could be considered “facilitation” of ORC unless the operator can show that specific steps were taken to ensure that goods being sold were not obtained by theft or fraud. Those found guilty of committing or facilitating organized retail crimes would be subject to appropriate existing fines, prison terms and forfeiture, and the legislation would require the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review its guidelines for cases involving such crimes. In addition, operators of online marketplaces could be sued by any business whose stolen goods were sold. Retailers lose between $15 billion and $30 billion to ORC each year, according to the FBI and retail loss prevention experts. That figure compares to the combined $18 billion for robbery, larceny, burglary and auto theft reported by the FBI Uniform Crime Report. A record 85 percent of retailers reported that they were victims of ORC in the past year, according to NRF’s annual survey on the issue. & WHO WHAT WHEN The book includes a timeline of major research disseminated over the years, as well as fun facts about the Foundation. Did you know that more than 65,000 people have been placed in jobs through Retail Skills Centers? Or that the first Foundation chairman was Prentis C. Hale, chairman and CEO of Carter Hawley Hale Stores? To view the digital version of the NRFF 25th Anniversary book, go to http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=Dashboard&id=22&pmenu_id=11. NRF’s Loss Prevention Convention and EXPO NRF’S Annual Loss Prevention Convention and EXPO, held in June in Orlando, featured an array of top-notch speakers. The keynote speaker was Sheriff Grady Judd of the Polk County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office, whose detectives cracked a major organized retail crime case earlier this Grady Judd NRF Foundation Book SINCE its creation in 1981, the NRF Foundation has provided research and a wide array of educational programs designed to support and advance the retail industry. NRFF recently published a book of high points and accomplishments from its first 25 years. The account provides a retrospective of the work it has accomplished and an outline of the prospects that lie ahead. 88 STORES / AUGUST 2008 year. The Polk County bust uncovered an ORC ring that had stolen an estimated $100 million from Florida retailers over a five-year period. Judd and his detectives arrested 18 people connected to this case. During his remarks at the conference, Judd discussed how his team worked with area retailers to track the perpetrators, the importance of partnering with the private sector and the value of educating the public about organized retail crime. He also touched on ways to work with law enforcement, how to protect stores, the security devices that have proven useful and the tactics criminals use to complete crimes. Sheriff Judd’s office also has been involved with other high-profile cases, including the beating of a high school teenager by six other girls and the discovery of a school principal who had illicit photos of young girls in his office. Visit www.nrfblogs.com for a more in-depth look at the conference. WWW.STORES.ORG http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=Dashboard$id=22&pmenu_id=11 http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=Dashboard$id=22&pmenu_id=11 http://www.nrfblogs.com http://WWW.STORES.ORG

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of STORES Magazine - August 2008

STORES Magazine - August 2008 Contents Executive Editor's Page President's Page The Lure of Free Shipping Walmart’s New Look What Shoppers Think Will Widgets Work for Wheat Bread and Wasabi? 10 Things You May Have Missed Numbers Worth Counting Full Price/Markdown Retail People Store Design Industry Economics Hot 100 Retailers Concept2Watch Mobile Technology Small Store Technology Website Optimization Site Selection Mobile Payments Recycling Merchandising: Cool Sells Merchandising: Merchandising in Mexico Store Construction & Development Human Resources Loyalty Programs Mobile Marketing Loeb Retail Letter Arts Update Point of View NRF News Retail Crossword Retail Industry Calendar Last Laugh

STORES Magazine - August 2008

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