As we wrap up another year and eagerly look ahead to the opportunities the new one will bring, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the incredible successes of 2024. We also want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported TalkLP so far—THANK YOU!

Your engagement has been instrumental in helping TalkLP thrive, and we’re deeply grateful to be part of such an amazing industry. Don’t miss out on all that TalkLP has to offer: the TalkLPnews APP for breaking LP headlines, job alerts, solution provider insights, research, and more; along with our engaging podcasts, webinars, and the Asset Protection Executive Xchange event series.

Stay tuned—exciting NEW things are on the horizon!  Stay plugged in by downloading the app, joining the TalkLP LinkedIn Group, and subscribing here!

Let’s Count Down our TOP 10 most popular podcasts of 2024!

Number 10:  Navigating the Road to Director with Marcus Young

Director of Asset Protection at United Supermarkets, Marcus Young, sits down with TalkLP Host Amber Bradley to discuss his 28- year career path from sacker to Director. Marcus gets into the advantages of knowing the operations side of the business and how that benefits his work in Loss Prevention. To Marcus, his team is his #1 asset and the company’s refreshing take on career development backs that up.  They also talk trade shows and conferences and how the relationships he built there are some of the best resources for finding solutions to emerging problems. Marcus still wakes up every day with a passion for his work and his favorite part is the impact he has on all the people he encounters. He is WAY more than a good shoplifter spotter…

Number 9: Prof. Emmeline Taylor Talks UK Crime Trends & Upcoming APEX Panel

TalkLP Host Amber Bradley was super excited to talk retail crime trends with Professor Emmeline Taylor, PhD, Professor of Criminology at City, University of London and Host of Retail Crime Uncovered Podcast!  Emmeline and Amber talk the differences between the US and the UK in terms of crime trends.  They also discuss the UK’s recent initiatives to try and crack down on organized retail crime.  Rounding out the conversation included Emmeline’s take on new AND existing technology trends and her predictions of those “can’t live without” tech trends!

Number 8: Betting On Risk Expert Mark Habersack with Resorts World

TalkLP Host Amber Bradley fangirled out for her love of all things Vegas before diving into the world of Risk Management with Resorts World’s Executive Director of Risk Management, Mark Habersack. Mark and Amber discuss his 40-year career in the industry and the strategies he used to find success. They also talk tech utilization and the buzzword of the moment, Enterprise Risk Management. Plus the best career advice he ever received AND a little advice of his own!

Number 7: An Iconic Brand’s Approach to LP

TalkLP Host Amber Bradley is STOKED to be joined by Adonis Jacovides, a Chief of Loss Prevention at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company straight from Cyprus! Adonis talks about the Ritz Carlton iconic brand and how important the empowerment is among its Ladies and Gentlemen. From a prison officer to a chief of loss prevention, Adonis explains how the breadth of experience has helped him navigate such varying cultures.  He also discusses how tricky it sometimes becomes executing some loss prevention strategies in such an unique environment.  Adonis also explains their approach in explaining the policies and ultimately treating everyone with respect – no matter the circumstance.

Number 6: In Other News… w/ former CIA Chief John Franchi

TalkLP Host Amber Bradley gets “THE” update from former CIA Station Chief John Franchi.  John and Amber talk the recent cell phone outage – who’s responsible – upcoming elections predictions, Russia elections, cell phone scams, password protection, and more…  John talks about how all this craziness impacts retail and what executives need to be prepared for, such as: What is your organization’s redundancy? What’s your tech back up? How are you guarding your executives from scams?

Number 5: The Total Retail Loss Model at Kroger

Chris Harris, Director of Asset Protection and Safety at Kroger, finds himself in the HOT SEAT as he joins TalkLP host Amber Bradley to talk Kroger’s AP strategy, the Total Loss Model in grocery. Think it’s complicated? Uh, yep.  Definitely. Chris and Amber discuss how the Total Loss model allows the AP department to branch out into all sectors of the business and reduce shrink whether that be in merchandising, supply chain, buying, retail operations, etc. He credits their success to the diverse team of AP talent and talks about finding AND keeping great talent. Everything behind the Total Loss model comes down to the company’s mission, Zero Hunger, Zero Waste.

Number 4:  Talking LPR Tech with Auror

TalkLP Host Amber Bradley sits down with Bobby Haskins, Vice President of Retail Partnerships, at Auror to talk critical technology that helps keep employees and customers safe: License Plate Recognition (LPR).  Most practitioners don’t know that Auror has this technology and Bobby clears up why that is — and many other insights on industry trends. Although this may be new for the folks in the United States — this technology isn’t a new venture for Auror.  Hear how long Auror has been doing this and why they are considered an expert in this field.

Number 3: Ben Dugan Goes on the Record with TalkLP

TalkLP Host Amber Bradley catches up with Ben Dugan, Executive Director of Central Investigations at CVS Health to discuss recent headlines about quantifying the Organized Retail Crime (ORC) problem retailers are facing.  As an asset protection industry veteran, Ben Dugan has been fighting for visibility to the ORC issue to help keep customers and employees safer while reducing inventory loss.  However, after some industry debate surrounding numbers — Ben looks to set the record straight from his perspective.

Number 2: Busting Myths & Getting REAL about Body Worn Cameras with REI

TalkLP Host Amber Bradley gets REAL with Brian Friedman, Director of Asset Protection & Risk Management for REI and Mike Shore, General Manager – Enterprise at AXON, about body worn cameras. Learn a little history, a little tech understanding about this SUPER hot topic in the industry right now AND learn a LOT about the REAL impact body worn cameras are making in retail through Brian’s experience at REI.  How did AXON turn skeptic into believer? What was the reception from customers and employees? What problems does this technology solve MINUS all the obvious? (there are lots, btw) Check out this chat with Brian and Mike to bust myths with actual data and REALtailer experience (see what we did there?)

Number 1: The Benefits of Your Own ROC (Remote Operations Center)

TalkLP Host Amber Bradley sits down with Ryan Themm, Corporate Investigations Manager at Meijer to talk tech.  Ryan describes the structure of Meijer in terms of asset protection team and how they support the Meijer operations staff as well.  Any tech conversation wouldn’t be complete these days without addressing how solution providers work together to contribute to an ecosystem that benefits the retailer. A valuable tool the Meijer utilizes to keep their employees and customers safe is their Remote Operations Center (ROC). Ryan describes how the ROC plays a critical role in supporting safety and investigations with the stores as well as supporting the operations staff as well.  Thank you to Genetec for sponsoring this conversation!!

These were the top 10 most popular, by super narrow margin, so check out the other value-packed podcasts at here.  And we totally realize we didn’t give many of the Q4 released podcasts a chance!  So don’t miss them here!

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