Shrink losses inflicted on retailers are widespread and staggering. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF) and University of Florida survey, “inventory shrink amounted to $44 billion in losses to retailers in 2014.” How much could be attributed to internal or customer theft? The survey determined that 35 percent of shrink stemmed from employee or internal theft while customer shoplifting was responsible for 38 percent of the loss. In some years, internal theft loss has been estimated as high as 43 percent exceeding customer shoplifting losses.

Culture of Engagement

Retailers of all sizes and category are acutely aware of shrink’s impact on their profit margins and are constantly working on loss prevention approaches to combat it. The first step is to create a store culture that engages employees and commits them to reducing inventory shrink. Employee engagement and alertness is fundamental to a successful loss prevention program.

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When the National Association of Chain Drug Stores’ (NACDS) Total Store Expo hits the Colorado Convention Center in Denver from August 22-25, it will once again bring its signature blend of tradeshow and senior-level conference formats together. At this powerful appointment-based show, strategic and tactical collaboration across functions within retailer and supplier partners will be fostered, providing tools that can help attendees utilize the event as a game-changer for their companies.

This year, the NACDS Total Store Expo launched a major social media campaign to maximize the event’s power to “Make Connections Happen.” Introduced on NACDS-TV, NACDS’ campaign has been utilizing Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to tell the story of what makes the NACDS Total Store Expo unique.

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Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) 2015 will celebrate its 17th successful year as the only pan-European event dedicated to licensing and brand extension at London’s Olympia on Oct. 13-15. BLE 2014 was the biggest event to date, hosting 306 exhibitors and 7,164 visitors from 69 countries. But the show hopes to grow larger every year with new features for retailers, licensees, licensors, manufacturers and sales promotions professionals.

This year, BLE will feature its biggest-ever educational programming, offering 25 free sessions. Additionally, the show will feature two education theaters, the Licensing Academy and Brand and Lifestyle Theatre, offering attendees unique insights into licensing from leading experts in the industry. The show’s Knowledge Partners will also host their own seminars for the first time ever, focusing on key trends, facts and figures in the industry. 

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Billed as the global pillar of fashion tradeshows, MAGIC takes place twice annually, bringing together more than 60,000 industry insiders in Las Vegas to shop 11 can’t-miss markets, each tailored to a unique look or trend. Its comprehensive marketplace covers the top men’s, women’s, juniors’ and children’s apparel, footwear, accessories and resources. With 85 years of experience and attendance from more than 120 countries, MAGIC seeks to move fashion forward globally. Attendees can find it all at MAGIC, from the fabric to the finished product, the hottest brands to the top designers, and the tastemakers to the power buyers.

Artists, music, designers, models, and lots and lots of clothes! You would think I’m talking about a concert but this is what the MAGIC tradeshow feels like these days. Every year, thousands of fashion mavens invade Las Vegas for the bi-annual tradeshow. It’s more than just a tradeshow; it’s where the future of what we wear takes place. You get to meet and collaborate with different vendors, designers and artists. 

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