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Odd Lots · September 10, 2026 · 52m

The Rise of Organized Retail Crime at Big Box Stores

Scott Glenn, VP of Asset Protection at Home Depot, explains why organized retail crime is a bigger threat than shoplifting. Professional groups steal large quantities of goods for black-market resale, driving up costs and forcing stores to lock up merchandise. The episode covers how retailers are responding to rising theft and what it means for customers.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Highlights

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Organized Retail Crime
Scott Glenn says that while shoplifting attracts attention, the more significant problem for retailers like Home Depot is organized retail crime — professional groups stealing bulk quantities for black-market resale.
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Retail Shrink
Retail shrink — the loss of inventory due to theft, error, or damage — is what drives stores to lock up more items, even at the expense of customer experience.

Editorial

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Locking Up Merchandise
Many New York City pharmacies now keep everyday items behind locked cases as a visible response to chronic shoplifting.
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