The Gate 15 Interview EP 18. RILA Perspective on Organized Retail Crime, plus Mama’s Meatballs, Country Music and Jersey Rock n’ Roll

The Gate 15 Interview: RILA Perspective on Organized Retail Crime, plus Mama’s Meatballs, Country Music and Jersey Rock n’ RollIn this episode of The Gate 15 Interview, Andy Jabbour speaks with two leaders from the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), Ms. Lisa LaBruno, RILA’s Senior Executive Vice President of Retail Operations, and Mr. Michael Hanson, RILA’s Senior Executive Vice President of Public Affairs. The RILA “is the U.S. trade association for leading retailers. RILA partners with leading retailers to meet the challenges of a dynamic economy. Through collaboration and thought leadership, we advance ideas that foster free markets, competition, economic growth, and sustainability.” RILA on Twitter, @RILATweeets.In the discussion we address: The enduring threat of Organized Retail Crime (ORC) Private sector activity relating to ORC Private-public partnership and legislative action on ORC RILA’s focus for 2022 Country music, meatballs, Springsteen, and more! A few references mentioned in or relevant to our discussion include: RILA website - https://www.rila.org Real Estate Information Sharing and Analysis Center (RE-ISAC) RILA: CEOS Call on Congress to Address Surge of Retail Crime, 09 Dec 2021 The Buy Safe America Coalition Impact of Organized Retail Crime and Product Theft, Buy Safe America The INFORM Consumers Act of 2020, Buy Safe America Retailers Press Amazon to Back INFORM Consumers Act, Buy Safe America, 27 Aug 2020 Durbin, Cassidy, Grassley, Hirono, Coons, Tillis Introduce Bill to Ensure Greater Transparency for Third-Party Sellers of Consumer Products Online (The Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers [INFORM Consumers] Act), 23 Mar 2021 Amazon: INFORM Act punishes small businesses and favors one particular business model, 28 Apr 2021 Buy Safe release announcing the study: Retail Theft Balloons to over $68 Billion, Buy Safe America Homeland Security Express Concern on Retail Crime, Buy Safe America ‘What is organized retail crime? Organized retail crime (ORC) refers to professional shoplifting or other theft occurring in retail stores. These 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. Organized rings are often involved in other crimes within the community, including narcotics, money laundering and human trafficking.’ – Buy Safe America, https://www.buysafeamerica.org/myth-vs-facts Lisa LaBruno is RILA’s Senior Executive Vice President of Retail Operations. In this role, LaBruno leads RILA’s efforts in the association’s key retail disciplines including asset protection, store operations, supply chain and e-commerce. She directs all research initiatives, educational programming for the annual LINK and Retail Asset Protection conferences, and executive networking to promote operational excellence within the industry. She has 30 years of relevant experience in both the public and private sector, including as an assistant prosecutor (Hudson County, NJ), in-house attorney at the Archdiocese of Newark and in-house attorney at The Home Depot and serves on the Board of Directors of the Loss Prevention Foundation. Michael Hanson is RILA’s Senior Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, overseeing the Association’s government affairs and communications arms. Hanson is responsible for identifying the industry’s top public policy challenges and working with both leading retailers and key stakeholders to elevate the industry in Washington, DC and across the country. Hanson most recently served as chief public policy officer at Sabre, a leading travel technology company, where he led legi