CEOS CALL ON CONGRESS TO ADDRESS SURGE OF RETAIL CRIME

Washington, D.C. - December 10, 2021 - (The Ponder News) -- In a letter to Congressional leadership, 20 CEOs of leading retailers expressed urgent concern over the growing impact of organized retail crime on retail employees and communities across the U.S. The signatories representing apparel, electronics, health and beauty, home improvement, and general merchandise sectors implore lawmakers to pass the INFORM Consumers Act, legislation that will modernize our consumer protection laws to safeguard families and communities from the sale of illicit products.

“Retailers have made significant investments to combat organized retail crime, but as they note in today’s letter, criminals will continue these brazen thefts as long as they are able to anonymously sell their stolen goods via online marketplaces. Fortunately, there is a growing consensus among business leaders, law enforcement, and a bipartisan group of policymakers that INFORM Consumers Act is an important and appropriate step to stemming the tide. Deterring these crimes starts with making it harder for thieves to sell stolen goods online. We urge Congress to seize this opportunity to help protect communities, families, and consumers.”

Retail leaders who signed today’s letter include:

Ken Hicks, Academy Sports + Outdoors

Corie Barry, Best Buy Co., Inc.

Lauren Hobart, DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc.

Richard Johnson, Foot Locker, Inc.

W. Rodney McMullen, The Kroger Co.

Richard Keyes, Meijer, Inc.

Erik B. Nordstrom, Nordstrom, Inc.

Heyward Donigan, Rite Aid Corporation

Brian C. Cornell, Target Corporation

Steve Rendle, VF Corporation

William Rhodes, AutoZone, Inc.

Neela Montgomery, CVS Health

Todd J. Vasos, Dollar General Corporation

Craig Menear, The Home Depot, Inc.

Chip Bergh, Levi Strauss & Co.

Geoffroy van Raemdonck, Neiman Marcus, Inc.

Ron Coughlin, Petco Animal Supplies, Inc.

Anthony T. Hucker, Southeast Grocers

David Kimbell, Ulta Beauty, Inc.

John Standley, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.

Brian Dodge, Retail Industry Leaders Association

Read the full letter here.