Don’t miss this incredible gathering of risk management, loss prevention and security talent, all coming together on 18th June… With Retail Risk – London now less than two weeks away, there’s never been a better time to start planning your day. We’ve put together an...

Sophisticated scam websites highlight new fraud risks for retailers… Retailers, banks and payment providers are being warned about a growing wave of AI-generated scam stores that are becoming increasingly difficult for consumers to identify. Mastercard says fraudsters...

Is it coming home? Or is it out and about? Here is a non-exhaustive list of ways to tell a major football tournament is looming...   1. Pubs prepare to become human sardine tins. 2. Somebody somewhere mentions sweepstakes. 3. Flags appear everywhere... in a way that...

Fast fashion retailer claims latest penalties are “manifestly disproportionate”… Shein has said it will challenge fines totalling almost €22m imposed by French regulators over alleged breaches of consumer protection and product information rules. The fast fashion...

One of the great pleasures of this job is briefing the various celebrities that we have appearing on the Retail Risk stages around the world. In the UK, past hosts make up an illustrious line-up of British comedy talent including  Ed Byrne, Andy Parsons, Milton Jones,...

A brilliant, must-see session at Retail Risk – London on 18th June… Missing assets, supply chain disruption and organised retail crime continue to cost retailers millions every year. While many businesses focus on managing these challenges, far fewer succeed in...

Supermarket giant recently confirmed data from a retired delivery app had been compromised… A cyberattack involving South African retailer Pick n Pay has brought renewed attention to the risks associated with legacy digital systems, after customer data linked to an...

Who will take home the honours this year? With the submission window for the Australian Heroes of Retail Risk Awards (HORRAs) officially closed, the spotlight now shifts to the all-important judging process… So exactly who has the difficult task of whittling down our...

Advances in generative AI leading to a surge in false refund claims… Retailers are facing a sharp increase in return fraud as shoppers and organised crime groups use generative AI to create convincing refund claims, it has emerged. According to new findings from...

South Africa’s retail community is facing a deeply troubling moment after two explosive devices were detonated at Woolworths stores in two different provinces within little more than 24 hours.

Nothing is more frightening than missing out on a seat at THE BEST evening in the industry calendar… On the 18th June, following Retail Risk – London earlier in the day, we will be celebrating the heroism of our front line retail colleagues at the Heroes of Retail...

And that’s a fact! The Blenheim Palace Fun Run was one of my favourite races last year. The whole event has a brilliantly relaxed, feel-good family atmosphere and, of course, the house and grounds are stunning. So when Mandy asked a few months back if she should sign...

Rural retailers are facing growing levels of crime, with new research suggesting that the problem is no longer confined to busy high streets and major urban centres. According to research reported by The Guardian, nine in 10 rural retailers have been victims of crime...

Boxxdocks’ James Della Valle on the hidden supply chain losses quietly costing retailers millions… This week on the Retail Risk – Podcast, Paul is joined by James Della Valle, Co-Founder and CTO of asset tracking company Boxxdocks. James shares the unlikely journey...

I’ve always found Dragon’s Den a fascinating watch. Not necessarily because I’m sat there thinking “yep, I’d love to invest £120,000 in glow-in-the-dark compostable dog socks”. It’s more the format itself. The pressure of it. The strange little microcosm of business...

Learn how to build a more resilient approach to fraud risk management in this exclusive fireside chat… Internal fraud is often viewed as a systems or compliance failure, but the reality is far more complex. Organisational culture, leadership behaviours and flawed risk...

According to ABC News, a five-officer team will carry out daily patrols in Shepparton’s main shopping district, with a particular focus on repeat offenders and incidents involving violence or aggression towards retail staff. Almost 800 offences were recorded across...

Morrisons has reportedly become the first major UK supermarket to stop selling sharp-pointed kitchen knives as part of efforts to reduce the risk of knife-related harm. The supermarket is said to have replaced traditional pointed kitchen knives with blunt-ended...

This is your last chance to ensure those extraordinary acts don’t go unnoticed… Nominations for the Australian Heroes of Retail Risk Awards (HORRAs) close when the clock strikes MIDNIGHT (AEST) on Friday 22nd May. Many across our brilliant retail community have...

Lord Walker calls for “full force of the law” amid shoplifting epidemic… Trained retail security guards should be equipped with pepper spray and truncheons, according to Iceland Chief Executive Lord Richard Walker. With UK retailers grappling with soaring levels of...

S12’s Paul Evans and Paul Fullwood on raising standards across the UK security industry… What’s better than one Paul? Three of course! This week on the Retail Risk – Podcast, host Paul Bessant is joined by Paul Evans and Paul Fullwood from the security industry group...

And I have the bruises to prove it… There’s something about Yorkshire roads. Beautiful beyond words. Dangerous beyond reason. And if you’re daft enough to spend large parts of your life perched on two impossibly thin tyres wearing clothing apparently designed by...

Comedy legend Hal Cruttenden has a special message ahead of the UK HORRAs… In case you somehow missed the news, we are delighted that acclaimed comedian Hal Cruttenden will perform live at this year’s glittering black-tie UK HORRAs gala dinner. With the Awards now...

The wonderful world of operational excellence... Tell me... is there anything more gorgeous on this planet than efficiency? There’s just something about muttering terms like ‘process optimisation’ and ‘continuous improvement’ while staring thoughtfully at shelving....

Warning comes as illegal tobacco and vape sales surge… Melbourne retailers are facing increasing violence and intimidation linked to organised crime groups flooding stores with illegal tobacco, vapes and counterfeit alcohol, according to reports in the Australian...

Last year alone, I travelled the equivalent of 3.6 times around the Earth. Not as a frequent flyer flex, but because the threat facing retail doesn't sit still – and neither can we. Every year I spend time with over 5,000 retailers across five continents – and that is...

Good things really do come to those who wait… They say Guinness tastes better in Ireland. Having now tested that theory personally, I can confirm it is true. Rob and I recently travelled over to Ireland for a couple of days of meetings and partner visits. It would...

Latest figures highlight the importance of operational resilience amid growing cyber risk… Latest figures released by Marks & Spencer reveal that sales increased in the year to 28th March, despite the company suffering from one of the most severe cyber incidents...

Join IKEA’S Alan Cotton for practical insights into building a stronger, intelligence-led loss prevention programme… From organised retail crime to internal loss and operational vulnerabilities, retailers need accurate intelligence to make informed decisions and...

Appointment reflects increasing scrutiny of live facial recognition technology in stores… Facewatch has appointed barrister Dean Armstrong KC as its new Data Protection Officer as the company expands its use of live facial recognition technology across UK retail...

Just one week left to enter your front line retail colleagues for the ultimate industry accolade… Logie award-winning stand-up comedian and actor Dilruk Jayasinha is perhaps best known for playing Ashan on the ABC TV series Utopia. You might also have seen him in...

New Workplace Protection Orders praised as major step forward in fight against retail crime… Retailers have welcomed new Workplace Protection Orders (WPOs) introduced in South Australia, describing the measures as an important step in tackling rising levels of retail...

Reveal Media's Dinesh De Silva on why incident numbers are only half of the story… This week on the Retail Risk – Podcast, Paul sits down with Dinesh De Silva from body-worn camera provider, Reveal Media. As Head of UK Retail Sales, Dinesh works closely with retailers...

Trying to change the story... Another week, another deluge of baffling news. What a time to be alive. You simply can’t fault the consistency. With that in mind... it’s got to be worth throwing in my tuppence of (measured) positivity. Would you agree? You do agree. How...

With an unprecedented entertainment line-up setting a new benchmark for Retail Risk events, the 2026 UK HORRAs promises to be the best yet… On the 18th June, following Retail Risk – London earlier in the day, we will be celebrating the heroism of hundreds of retail...

Multiple arrests made as initiative gets off to strong start… Opal, the UK National Intelligence Unit for Serious and Organised Acquisitive Crime, is already celebrating early success following the launch of its new Supply Chain Crime (SCC) Intelligence Desk. The...

From Morris dancing to shin kicking, it seems I still have a lot to learn… Since moving to the UK, I have come to really enjoy this time of year. The evenings are getting lighter. The weather is improving… ish. And the fields have turned from muddy brown to a luscious...

Get an exclusive inside look at how B&Q turns intelligence into tangible enforcement outcomes… We all understand the importance of good-quality intelligence when it comes to combating retail crime, but what does it really take to turn that intelligence into...

Connor is a security guard. He works late shifts in a shopping mall. One evening, he challenges two suspected shoplifters. One pulls a machete and attacks Connor. Somehow, he fights back, disarms the assailant and helps police apprehend both men – despite them...

Clue: It doesn’t involve a £450 pair of Adidas “super shoes”… The London Marathon is always a spectacle. But this year it was on a whole other level. Sebastian Sawe did something many thought we might never see in a competitive race. He broke the two-hour barrier,...

Chemist Warehouse’s Mo Nagi shares the prescription for smarter, stronger loss prevention… This week on the Retail Risk – Podcast, Paul is joined by Mo Nagi, General Manager in Loss Prevention at Chemist Warehouse. The conversation opens with Mo sharing a...

You have just two weeks left to decide... Forget celebrities. Forget sports stars. Forget social media influencers. Because this isn't about fame or followers. This is about celebrating the real heroes among us... your retail frontline colleagues. Maybe you know...

Germany tops list of countries worst affected by cargo theft as latest Retail Risk survey exposes scale of supply chain crime in the UK... Europe’s cargo theft problem showed little sign of easing in February 2026, with new figures revealing the scale and growing...

Join Alan Ward to discover what the new offence means in practice – and why you should be paying close attention... The new corporate criminal offence of “failure to prevent fraud”, which was introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, came...

And no, I’m not just talking about the sheep… The mist hangs differently in Yorkshire at five in the morning. Not dramatic. Not theatrical. Just thick enough to make you question your eyesight and your life choices in equal measure – especially at 05:00 AM! Most...

Arrests made following series of shoplifting and fuel theft incidents across multiple stores… An alleged retail theft group accused of targeting stores across New Zealand’s lower North Island has been disrupted following a Police operation in Paraparaumu. As reported...

The Australian HORRAs return as we celebrate the incredible acts of kindness, selflessness and bravery of frontline colleagues... We all know that a little appreciation goes a long way. In a sector often defined by challenge and pressure, taking a moment to recognise...

Warning comes as Greggs pulls self-serve cabinets in theft-hit stores… A senior figure at Marks & Spencer has issued a blunt warning about the unintended consequences of self-checkout systems, arguing they are contributing to higher levels of shoplifting among...

A day of AI that definitely delivered We were out at an event last week termed an ‘AI hackathon’. Which sounds more nefarious than it is. But the world’s favourite new plaything shows no signs of slowing up. It’s everywhere. It’s everything. It’s all at once. I read...

New law designed to curb soaring theft and rising violence in stores… Retail groups have welcomed the news that the much-anticipated Crime and Policing Bill 2025 has been granted Royal Assent. Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of The British Retail Consortium (BRC),...