In this episode of The Voice of Retail, I welcome back Rui Rodrigues, one of Canada’s leading loss prevention experts and an executive advisor to the Retail Council of Canada. We talk about the rise of organized retail crime since he last joined me on the mic in 2021, why violence in stores is increasing, and how online marketplaces have become a distribution channel for stolen goods. Rui also shares how retailers, police and government are working together more than ever to fight back — and what real progress looks like. Don’t miss the chance to hear more from Rui and other experts firsthand at RCC’s Retail Secure conference on March 11 & 12, 2026—register now to be part of the conversation.
Retail crime in Canada has reached a critical point. In this episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes back Rui Rodrigues, a veteran loss prevention leader and advisor working with the Retail Council of Canada, to unpack the rapidly escalating challenges facing retailers across the country.
Rodrigues brings more than 30 years of experience in retail security and loss prevention, having worked with major retailers including Staples, Best Buy, Holt Renfrew and Hudson’s Bay before launching his consulting practice. Today he works with retailers across Canada helping them address organized retail crime, risk management, and store safety while also collaborating closely with law enforcement and government partners.
The conversation begins with a big picture look at how retail crime has evolved since the early days of the pandemic. Rodrigues explains that theft is not new, but the scale, organization, and violence associated with retail crime has increased significantly. Opportunistic shoplifting remains common, but retailers are increasingly dealing with organized criminal networks that exploit weak legal consequences and sophisticated resale channels.
One major driver has been the growth of online marketplaces and social media resale channels, which allow stolen goods to be redistributed quickly and anonymously. Criminal enterprises can now move merchandise without the traditional risk of transporting large volumes across borders.
Even more concerning is the growing level of violence and weaponization in retail theft incidents, with security teams reporting machetes, firearms, and bear spray being used to intimidate employees and prevent intervention. Retailers have responded by shifting away from physical apprehension policies in many cases, prioritizing employee safety over recovering merchandise.
But Rodrigues also shares reasons for optimism. Over the past three years, the Retail Council of Canada has built a national retail crime task force, bringing together more than 30 police services along with retailers and prosecutors to coordinate intelligence and enforcement actions. Initiatives such as Project Retail Blitz focus targeted operations on repeat offenders and organized retail crime groups.
The discussion also explores the growing political recognition of the issue. Retail leaders have recently met with federal and provincial governments to push for stronger legislation, including reforms aimed at organized retail theft and repeat offenders. According to Rodrigues, the goal is not only stronger laws but consistent enforcement and a structural approach to retail crime across police and prosecution services.
The episode concludes with a preview of the upcoming Retail Secure Conference, where industry leaders, law enforcement, and policymakers will gather to share best practices and strategies for tackling retail crime and improving community safety.