Walmart, Kroger, and Target among chains working with University of Florida team to curtail shoplifting

GAINESVILLE, Fla - More than 40 major retail chains, including The Home Depot, Walmart, Kroger and Target, formed a specialized research council to facilitate the use of science to curtail theft and violence. As part of this effort, A specialized University of Florida research team has been formed to interviews offenders, analyzes large datasets, and conducts field experiments to adapt and devise new crime control methods and technologies.



The team, headed by University of Florida research criminologist Dr. Read Hayes, works with retail asset protection executives and security technology engineers in fully-operating stores and their parking lots to create or calibrate existing crime control countermeasures. Much of this critical work centers on adjusting evolving analytical and deterrent measures designed to affect would-be offender decisions to reduce crime attempts and resulting injuries and losses.



"Our work combines rapidly developing technologies and the psychology of decision-making to better prevent crime attempts," said Dr. Hayes.



Retail company executives engage with the UF team via working groups that focus in specialized areas including video solutions, product protection, supply chain protection, and organized retail crime control to develop and rigorously test existing and emerging crime control methods. Current crime prevention efforts include improving loss control from fitting and restrooms, better protecting electronics and health and beauty care products, affecting large organized theft and fraud syndicates, countering robbery and parking lot crime



The list of retailers involved in the project include Bloomingdales, Lowe's, Target, CVS, Pep Boys, Big Lots, Best Buy, T-Mobile, Office Depot, Kay Jewelers, dressbarn, eBay, The Home Depot, Walgreens, Kroger, Walmart, Rite Aid, Toys R Us, Sears/Kmart, Publix Super Markets, AutoZone, and Verizon.