CEOs Call on Congress to Address Surge of Retail Crime

Retail Leaders Urge Passage of INFORM Consumers Act

In a letter to Congressional leadership today, 20 CEOs of leading retailers expressed urgent concern over the growing impact of organized retail crime on retail employees and communities across the U.S. The signatories representing apparel, electronics, health and beauty, home improvement, and general merchandise sectors implore lawmakers to pass the INFORM Consumers Act, legislation that will modernize our consumer protection laws to safeguard families and communities from the sale of illicit products.

 “Retailers have made significant investments to combat organized retail crime, but as they note in today’s letter, criminals will continue these brazen thefts as long as they are able to anonymously sell their stolen goods via online marketplaces. Fortunately, there is a growing consensus among business leaders, law enforcement, and a bipartisan group of policymakers that INFORM Consumers Act is an important and appropriate step to stemming the tide. Deterring these crimes starts with making it harder for thieves to sell stolen goods online.  We urge Congress to seize this opportunity to help protect communities, families, and consumers.”

Retail leaders who signed today’s letter include:
  • Ken Hicks, Academy Sports + Outdoors
  • Corie Barry, Best Buy Co., Inc.
  • Lauren Hobart, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc.
  • Richard Johnson, Foot Locker, Inc.
  • W. Rodney McMullen, The Kroger Co.
  • Richard Keyes, Meijer, Inc.
  • Erik B. Nordstrom, Nordstrom, Inc.
  • Heyward Donigan, Rite Aid Corporation
  • Brian C. Cornell, Target Corporation
  • Steve Rendle, VF Corporation
  • William Rhodes, AutoZone, Inc.
  • Neela Montgomery, CVS Health
  • Todd J. Vasos, Dollar General Corporation
  • Craig Menear, The Home Depot, Inc.
  • Chip Bergh, Levi Strauss & Co.
  • Geoffroy van Raemdonck, Neiman Marcus, Inc.
  • Ron Coughlin, Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.
  • Anthony T. Hucker, Southeast Grocers
  • David Kimbell, Ulta Beauty, Inc.
  • John Standley, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
  • Brian Dodge, Retail Industry Leaders Association
 The full letter here.
###

RILA is the US trade association for leading retailers. We convene decision-makers, advocate for the industry, and promote operational excellence and innovation. Our aim is to elevate a dynamic industry by transforming the environment in which retailers operate.

RILA members include more than 200 retailers, product manufacturers, and service suppliers, which together account for more than $1.5 trillion in annual sales, millions of American jobs, and more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers domestically and abroad.
 
Tags
  • Asset Protection
  • Organized Retail Crime
  • Public Policy
  • Keeping Communities Safe

Related Content

What is Organized Retail Crime

Criminals are increasingly turning to online marketplaces to quickly and discretely move mass quantities of stolen merchandise. Unfortunately, these criminal rings are growing more brazen and violent, putting the safety of customers and store employees in jeopardy.

Read More

Retail Asset Protection Conference

The Retail Asset Protection Conference is the premier event for asset protection professionals to learn about the latest innovations in the industry.

Read More

Impact of Organized Retail Crime and Product Theft

New Buy Safe America report provides an analysis of organized retail crime and its effect on the US economy.

Read More

Stay in the know

Subscribe to our newsletter