Loss Prevention Research Council Announces Call for ‘Benefit Denial’ Technology Developers

  • Jul 05, 2011

Members of the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) invite innovative solutions providers to join their Benefit Denial Working Group (BDWG) to develop and test leading-edge product protection solutions. The working group is comprised of more than 16 retail chains, including Best Buy, OfficeMax, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Meijer, Publix, Kroger, AutoZone, Sears/Kmart, Sterling Jewelers, Office Depot, AAFES and Lowes Home Improvement. Members of the BDWG are focused on the study and trial of new loss prevention technologies that render products useless until they are purchased at the point of sale.

“Group members have defined ‘benefit denial’ as a system or technology designed into, or applied to, retail products that prevents anyone from gaining value or use of a product without first making a legitimate purchase,” explains Read Hayes, Ph.D., director of the LPRC. “The system or technology should ideally protect the product from point of manufacture throughout the entire supply chain, and have no significant negative impact on the consumer.”

Several leading retailers have already lined up to support this program, as benefit denial technologies have the potential to revolutionize asset protection by virtually “locking down” products throughout the supply chain. This type of protection would enable retailers to more openly merchandise products, resulting in increased availability to customers and ultimately higher sales – while at the same time minimizing loss from shrink.

In addition to the potential benefits to sales and shrink, there are several other areas that will be evaluated, including the impact on customers and store operations associated with modifying or eliminating physical lock packaging or enclosures, and streamlining the checkout process.

In order to develop a comprehensive database of best practices and insights for the industry, the trials will be designed to encompass a wide variety of product categories, benefit denial technologies, and store formats. As part of the effort, the LPRC is working closely with the Entertainment Merchants Association, which has developed extensive expertise and insight into potential test models for several key product categories, including DVD, Blu-ray Discs and gaming content.

Featured

  • The Next Generation

    Video security technology has reached an inflection point. With advancements in cloud infrastructure and internet bandwidth, hybrid cloud solutions can now deliver new capabilities and business opportunities for security professionals and their customers. Read Now

  • Help Your Customer Protect Themselves

    In the world of IT, insider threats are on a steep upward trajectory. The cost of these threats - including negligent and malicious employees that may steal authorized users’ credentials, rose from $8.3 million in 2018 to $16.2 million in 2023. Insider threats towards physical infrastructures often bleed into the realm of cybersecurity; for instance, consider an unauthorized user breaching a physical data center and plugging in a laptop to download and steal sensitive digital information. Read Now

  • Enhanced Situation Awareness

    Did someone break into the building? Maybe it is just an employee pulling an all-nighter. Or is it an actual perpetrator? Audio analytics, available in many AI-enabled cameras, can add context to what operators see on the screen, helping them validate assumptions. If a glass-break detection alert is received moments before seeing a person on camera, the added situational awareness makes the event more actionable. Read Now

  • Transformative Advances

    Over the past decade, machine learning has enabled transformative advances in physical security technology. We have seen some amazing progress in using machine learning algorithms to train computers to assess and improve computational processes. Although such tools are helpful for security and operations, machines are still far from being capable of thinking or acting like humans. They do, however, offer unique opportunities for teams to enhance security and productivity. Read Now

Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

New Products

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge. 3

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis. 3

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening. 3