Organized retail crime experts to tackle multi-billion dollar problem

ALBANY, NY (04/30/2007)(readMedia)-- The Retail Council of New York State and the Food Industry Alliance of New York today announced their co-sponsorship of an Organized Retail Crime Conference to be held Thursday, May 31, 2007 at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. The day-long conference will bring together retailers, law enforcement professionals, prosecutors and policy makers for a comprehensive dialogue and information exchange on this multi-billion dollar problem.

The New York Organized Retail Crime Conference is being offered free of charge to all official registrants and breakfast, lunch and refreshments will be provided to all attendees.

"Organized retail crime has increased exponentially in the past few years with the severity and frequency of the crimes far eclipsing traditional shoplifting sprees," said James Sherin, president and chief executive officer of the Retail Council. "More than $30 billion a year is lost by retailers to organized thieves and criminals."

"Such criminal activity runs the gamut from return fraud, credit card scams, and the sale of counterfeit merchandise to well organized networks of trained thieves, boosters and fences ready to steal and move product back into the wholesale distribution system, through Internet auction sites and other creative channels," Sherin said.

Scheduled speakers and special guests at the conference include Brian Nadeau, Supervisory Special Agent, Major Theft Unit of the FBI; Sgt. Scott Guginski of the Organized Theft Task Force of the New York Police Department; Hon. David Soares, District Attorney of Albany County; and State Senate Consumer Protection Committee Chairman Charles Fuschillo. Several loss prevention and organized retail theft executives from major retail companies and national retail associations will also be addressing the conference.

"Organized retail theft rings steal billions of dollars of retail merchandise every year, which victimizes retailers, inflates the consumer price of goods, and jeopardizes the health and welfare of employees and customers. These criminal acts also deprive state and local treasuries of millions in tax revenues," said James Rogers, president of the Food Industry Alliance.

"The Organized Retail Crime Conference the retail industry is organizing for May 31 will offer an opportunity and a forum to further advance our joint mission -- to control and curtail what has become the most serious security issue facing retailers today," Rogers said.

For registration details and more information about the Organized Retail Crime Conference in Albany on May 31, contact Melissa Googas at the Retail Council of New York State at (518) 465-3586. She can also be reached via e-mail at mgoogas@retailcouncilnys.com.

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