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Contributors›Kirthi Kalyanam
Kirthi Kalyanam photo

L.J Skaggs Distinguished Professor

Kirthi Kalyanam

Dr. Kalyanam's research and expertise are in Retailing, Internet & Multi Channel Marketing, Quantitative Marketing and the intersection of these areas. He is particularly interested in the rigorous analysis of practical problems. His research paper published in The Journal of Marketing Research on market potential estimation was selected as a finalist for the American Marketing Association’s Paul E. Green Award for impact on the practice of marketing. Dr. Kalyanam has advised or consulted for Comscore Networks, Propel Corporation, Xambala, Kiwi Networks, Symphoniq Corp, Boorah, and CoffeeTable. He designed and delivered the first Retail University program at Google and today is developing the 3rd generation of this program.

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Contributor Brief·Kirthi Kalyanam · 1 article
Updated Oct 11, 2023

Retail theft requires systemic intervention beyond security technology alone

Kalyanam argues that organized retail theft has evolved into a coordinated criminal enterprise that store-level security measures cannot adequately combat. He advocates for systemic, multi-stakeholder intervention—spanning law enforcement, supply chain transparency, and industry coordination—as the only viable approach to addressing the billions in annual losses driven by sophisticated theft networks.

$billions

in annual retail losses from coordinated mob theft networks

“Store security alone cannot combat the coordinated theft networks draining billions from the industry annually.”

Mob-led Theft is Costing the Retail Industry Billions

Limitations of retail security interventions against organized theft

In-store security cameras and loss prevention staff3
Individual retailer anti-theft policies2
Multi-stakeholder law enforcement coordination8
Supply chain transparency and tracking7
Industry-wide criminal network intelligence sharing8

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11%In-store security
In-store security cameras and loss prevention staff
Individual retailer anti-theft policies
Multi-stakeholder law enforcement coordination
Supply chain transparency and tracking
+1 more

systemic approach required

Only multi-agency intervention addresses root cause of organized retail crime

The problem transcends what any single retailer or security vendor can solve independently.

Mob-led Theft is Costing the Retail Industry Billions

Without coordinated law enforcement action, retail losses will accelerate despite technology investments.

Mob-led Theft is Costing the Retail Industry Billions

“Retailers funding store security while organized theft networks operate freely amounts to treating symptoms, not disease.”

Themes:Organized retail crime requires systemic solutions, not isolated technology fixesCoordinated criminal networks exceed individual retailer and vendor capabilitiesMulti-stakeholder intervention and law enforcement coordination are non-negotiable

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