DEERFIELD, Ill., March 10, 2020 - In support of the bipartisan INFORM Consumers Act introduced today by Senators Bill Cassidy and Dick Durbin, Walgreens issued the following statement from Alex Gourlay, co-chief operating officer of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
“The lack of transparency and accountability in today’s digital marketplaces has contributed to the rapid rise of organized retail crime, which has become one of the top challenges facing the retail industry today. Walgreens strongly supports Senators Bill Cassidy and Dick Durbin’s INFORM Consumers Act, which would require online marketplaces to verify high-volume sellers, remove incentives for retail theft and help make our communities much safer. Americans deserve to know who they are buying products from in order to make safe and informed purchasing decisions for themselves and their families.”
Background on Organize Retail Crime (ORC)
- Organized retail crime is one of the top challenges facing retailers today. According to a 2019 survey by the National Retail Federation, retailers reported average losses of $700,000 per $1 billion dollars in sales over a 12-month period.1
- Organized retail crime has evolved beyond shoplifting and petty theft to the sale of stolen and counterfeit goods online. The emergency of largely unregulated online marketplaces and third party sellers have given criminals and ORC groups additional means to sell stolen and legitimate good, further eroding retailer’s bottom lines and putting consumers’ safety at risk.
- Walgreens believes online marketplaces should be accountable for the activity on their platforms and ensure only legitimate goods are sold by verified sellers.
About Walgreens
Walgreens (walgreens.com), one of the nation's largest drugstore chains, is included in the Retail Pharmacy USA Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. Approximately 8 million customers interact with Walgreens in stores and online each day, using the most convenient, multichannel access to consumer goods and services and trusted, cost-effective pharmacy, health and wellness services and advice. As of August 31, 2018, Walgreens operates 9,560 drugstores with a presence in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, along with its omnichannel business, Walgreens.com. Approximately 400 Walgreens stores offer Healthcare Clinic or other provider retail clinic services.
1https://nrf.com/research/2019-organized-retail-crime-survey
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Phil Caruso
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