5 Key Takeaways From RCC's Retail Secure Conference
This year's Retail Secure Conference, hosted by the Retail Council of Canada, was a chance to connect with security professionals, learn from experts, and celebrate industry wins. As organized retail crime continues to threaten Ontario businesses, the conference provided valuable insights into the fast-changing retail security industry. Industry leaders, law enforcement officers, and security leaders came together to discuss solutions that are making an impact. Today, we’ll discuss our five key takeaways from this year's event.
1. Police Partnerships Are Combating Organized Retail Crime
In the opening session, Staff Superintendent Joe Matthews of the Toronto Police Service joined Calandra Guiry, Associate VP of Loss Prevention at Canadian Tire, to discuss the alarming surge in violent retail in Toronto. Matthews highlighted the development of specialized retail crime units across Canada and emphasized how important collaboration between retailers and law enforcement has become.
The discussion revealed how sharing intelligence between retailers and police departments has led to more effective measures against organized retail crime groups, which we covered in our previous blog, The Impact of Organized Retail Crime on Ontario Businesses.
2. Body Cameras Are Transforming Retail Security
A session on body-worn cameras in security, delivered by David Pardoe and Ian Cocklin, featured insights for implementing body-worn cameras in retail security. The presentation emphasized how body cameras are reshaping security strategies across retail operations, from warehouses to storefronts, and covered implementation considerations, including privacy concerns, deployment strategies, and measuring effectiveness.
3. Data-Driven Strategies Improve Loss Prevention
Daryl Blackmore, Director of Asset Protection at Rexall, was joined by Dave Cheema, Director of Asset Protection at Best Buy Canada, and Jon Briegel to share how Rexall and Best Buy have improved their LP programs through proactive investigation and prevention strategies. The panel discussed how these major retailers leverage data analytics to spot repeat offenders and organized retail crime groups operating across multiple locations, keeping their customers and staff safe in the process.
4. Retailers Should Be Alert for Emerging Fraud
John Armit of the Ontario Provincial Police presented insights on growing cyber retail fraud at the Retail Secure Conference. Digital heists that exploit both online and in-store vulnerabilities require retailers to develop strategic countermeasures to protect their businesses. Armit was joined by a panel of retailers, including Raj Parmar, Group Head of Loss Prevention at JD Sports Canada, who discussed the challenges they encounter and the solutions they’re implementing in fighting fraud.
5. Community Collaborations Show Promise in Preventing Crime
Inspector Jennifer McKinnon of the Winnipeg Police Service shared Winnipeg's innovative approach to tackling retail crime. McKinnon explained how strategic collaboration between law enforcement, retailers, and community organizations like Crime Stoppers has resulted in retail blitzes and anti-fencing operations.
Partner With Canada’s Leading Retail Security Provider
The Retail Secure Conference shows that retail security is more important now than ever. With the rise of organized retail crime and fraud exploiting in-store vulnerabilities, professional retail security services are needed to ensure smooth operations, provide safety, and deter criminals. Learn how we can keep your business secure by contacting us through the form below.
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