Canadian retail industry united in defiance against crime

Key takeaways from the 2024 Retail Secure Conference

// By Isabelle Godin, Regional Loss Prevention Business Partner, Giant Tiger Stores Limited, and Chair of Retail Council of Canada’s Loss Prevention Advisory Committee

What drives over 300 retail loss prevention experts from across North America to meet in one location? The answer: The 2024 Retail Secure Conference. Hosted by Retail Council of Canada (RCC) on March 21, 2024, in Mississauga, Ontario, the event was a defining moment in our joint efforts against retail crime. As RCC’s Loss Prevention Advisory Committee Chair and Regional Loss Prevention Business Partner at Giant Tiger, I felt a surge of energy and commitment from my peers, all determined to address the retail sector’s evolving challenges.

Retail’s landscape is shifting rapidly, along with the demands of loss prevention. Our responsibilities now stretch beyond the store, covering omnichannel strategies, supply chain risks, and advanced technology. Even more concerning is the increase in retail theft, organized crime, and violent incidents threatening employees and customers across the industry. As we move forward, adaptation and training are essential for teams to manage these challenges effectively.

Celebrating excellence

The day commenced with the inaugural Retail Secure Legends Awards, a fitting tribute to the exemplary individuals who have set benchmarks in our field. Awardees were In-Store Legend Amir Anvarizadeh from Blackbird Security Inc, Leadership Legends Sean Sportun of GardaWorld and John Smith of Sporting Life, Emerging Legends Shahab Rahim from Best Buy and my colleague Robert Barnes from Giant Tiger Stores Limited. Their achievements not only inspire but also set a high standard for what we strive to achieve in loss prevention.

Keeping people, property, and assets safe

A series of enlightening sessions were delivered throughout the day. Dr. Larry Barton, supported by Gap Inc., shared his insights concerning ways in which to create safer workplaces. He emphasized the need for us to widen our perception of loss prevention roles – it’s not just about shrinkage but about the human element in theft and violent theft. The increase in retail violence, primarily driven by physical confrontations, demands a rebranding and reconsideration of the responsibilities of our roles and a focus on training, agility, and educated strategic thinking.

Diverse perspectives concerning several retail loss prevention and asset protection issues continued to be explored throughout the day. In Uniting Police, Justice, and Retail Against Crime, Superintendent Greg Watts (Toronto Police Service), Deputy Chief Mark Dapat (Peel Regional Police), Vincent Paris (General Counsel, Ministry of the Attorney General, Ontario), and Tony Hunt (General Manager Loss Prevention at London Drugs) shed some light on collaborative crime-fighting strategies and the need to look at the total impact of retail theft and crime, including longer term impacts on communities.

Sharon Bauer (Bamboo Data Consulting) addressed privacy and surveillance concerns during her session, Securing Trust, during which she highlighted the fact that retailers must be sure not to compromise any privacy laws as part of their efforts to keep their employees and stores safe, lest they be subject to significant fines.

During the session, Mitigate Loss and Enhance Visibility in Supply Chain Operations, Stephen O’Keefe (Bottom Line Matters), Jeff Yeats (Lion Guard Security) and Amir Hoss (EAIGLE) shared their perspectives concerning the need for new metrics to track loss within the entire retail supply chain, in addition to the ways by which to measure the split between distribution centres and stores, the role of AI, and the impact of optimized loss management.

In Behind the Crime: A Deep Dive into Cargo Theft, Detective Mark Haywood and Detective Constable Steve Lancia provided insights into organized crime, demonstrating retailers’ vulnerabilities during the transportation of goods.

The final session of the day, Combatting Workplace Violence, was especially powerful as Chris Nelson (Gap Inc.), Michael Lamb (Kroger) and Michael LeBlanc (Retail Council of Canada) shared examples of workplace violence and effective strategies meant to deescalate and prevent potential tragedies.

The day’s sessions underscored the power of collaboration among retail loss prevention professionals, police, legal experts, government officials, community leaders, and mental health experts in creating safer retail environments.

Reflections and takeaways

The Retail Secure Conference underscored our crucial role in transforming the retail landscape. The insights gained reinforced the importance of viewing retail safety as a societal concern, not just a business one, necessitating holistic strategies. Continuous learning and training are vital, as is the compassion we show our teams. Each of us play a key role in fostering a safer retail world. I encourage active participation, whether by joining RCC’s Loss Prevention Committee or contributing to the dialogue. Every effort counts in our mission for a safer retail environment.

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Isabelle Godin is a 20+ years loss prevention veteran and is Wicklander Zulawski trained in interview and interrogation techniques.