WASHINGTON–The Retail Asset Protection Conference, the leading event for loss prevention professionals, officially opened today in Washington, D.C., drawing together top retail executives, law enforcement officials, prosecutors, and solutions providers. Organized by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), the annual conference aims to address the evolving challenges and opportunities in retail asset protection.
“Asset protection professionals are increasingly being called upon to tackle complex challenges essential to retail success,” said Khris Hamlin, RILA vice president, asset protection. “This event provides a unique opportunity for professionals to network, share best practices, and learn from some of the brightest minds in the industry. Our goal is to equip attendees with the knowledge and tools they need to protect their organizations and employees, enhance communities and drive success.”
This year’s conference features several major initiatives and findings aimed at addressing retail crime and restoring vitality to communities served by retailers.
A new RILA-commissioned study highlights the significant underreporting of retail theft to law enforcement. Professor Julie Hibdon of Southern Illinois University Carbondale conducted the survey, which gathered insights from RILA Asset Protection Leaders Council members across the United States.
“Findings reveal a notable disparity between external thefts documented internally and those reported to law enforcement, underscoring the prevalence of underreporting within the retail sector,” said Hibdon.
The research shows that in 2023, only 10.9% of external theft incidents were reported to law enforcement, half the rate reported in 2019 (20%). The full report is available at RILA.org/underreporting-study.
Building on last year’s successful launch, RILA and the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) announced the expansion of the Vibrant Communities Initiative (VCI). Piloted initially in King County, WA, and Yolo County, CA, the initiative aims to forge stronger collaboration among retailers, prosecutors, law enforcement, and social service organizations to tackle organized retail crime and habitual theft.
Lisa LaBruno, Executive Director of the RILA Communities Foundation (RCF), announced a new public-private partnership with the Washington Retail Association and the Washington Attorney General’s Office to broaden the initiative’s reach across the state.
“Today, the RILA Communities Foundation is excited to announce that the Washington Retail Association and Washington Attorney’s General Office have formed a public-private partnership to lead and expand VCI beyond King County. What we’ve learned from our early experience is that collaboration and intel sharing driven by local leaders has the greatest impact. Given WRA’s leadership role throughout the state and the AG’s Office state-wide jurisdiction, it made sense for them to lead and build on the incredible momentum VCI has generated in King County.”
Renée Sunde, President and CEO of the Washington Retail Association, emphasized the partnership's importance: “Retailers are committed to keeping their stores safe for employees and customers. This partnership with the Attorney General’s Office provides a strong foundation to combat retail crime more effectively across Washington State.”
Addressing the surge in gift card-related fraud, often linked to organized criminal networks, RCF has launched the Gift Card Fraud Prevention Alliance. This initiative brings together retailers, gift card networks, and law enforcement to combat tampering and scams, advocate for more substantial penalties, and share best practices.
“Providing law enforcement the tools they need to arrest and prosecute perpetrators is essential to dismantling these criminal enterprises and ensuring the protection of gift card customers,” said LaBruno. “The RILA Communities Foundation is honored to be leading this effort and determined to work with stakeholders across the industry to raise awareness so that gift cards remain a safe and enjoyable product for retail consumers.”
More information can be found at ProtectMyGiftCard.com.
“RILA has embarked on a number of coordinated efforts to help mitigate the ongoing impact of retail crime,” said LaBruno. “At our annual conference and ongoing activities throughout the entire year, we are convening retailers, prosecutors and law enforcement to collaborate on solutions for combatting retail crime and restoring vibrancy to communities across the country. There is no simple solution to these complex societal challenges, but I am confident that we are bringing the right parties together to make communities across the country safer.”
