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How retailers can use threat assessment to help prevent workplace violence. Practical ways retailers can evaluate threats, support employees and reduce risk Fiona Soltes NRF Contributor August 14, 2026 From left: Barry Berkowitz, director of asset protection with Gap Inc. speaks with Jeremy Henderson, AVP, director, global safety and security, TJX, at NRF PROTECT 2026. The texts were intensifying in both frequency and aggression. More than 50 messages, from multiple phone numbers, had been sent to a variety of company leaders. "If you don't back off this is going to become a problem." "Keep pushing and see what happens!" "Be careful walking out after your shift. 'Accidents' happen in parking lots." "You have been warned. Won't say this again. (Explicit image included.)" The case was simply an example - presented during a session by Barry Berkowitz, director of asset protection with Gap Inc., and Jeremy Henderson, AVP, director, global safety and security, TJX, at NRF PROTECT 2026 - but the resonance was real. A quick Slido poll among the LP/AP leaders present showed that 78% had investigated a case involving anonymous or threatening text messages - and many still weren't sure of the best path forward. At what point should they step in? How might they de-escalate rather than inflame the situation? Who helps decide? And were there red flags along the way that were missed? It's a crucial conversation, and not only because threats are climbing. Workplace violence cases increasingly involve long-running threats, harassment, spillover from domestic violence, disgruntled employees and anonymous threatening messages. Without a clear path for assessment and action, teams can lose time in debates while fear escalates. Assaults are now the fourth-leading cause of work-related death. In 2023 - 2024, assaults brought 54,230 injuries that resulted in days away from work, and in 2024, there were 470 fatalities. Firearms were used in nearly 80% of workplace homicides. More than 40% of workplace homicides occur in public buildings, and 29% occur in retail establishments. After walking the audience through the scenario described above, Berkowitz and Henderson highlighted behavioral threat assessment and early intervention techniques. Workplace violence prevention starts with a proactive strategy. NRF's recently released Impact of Retail Theft & Violence report showed that for many retailers, "strengthening safety measures reflects a deliberate shift toward a more proactive and preventive strategy for addressing workplace violence." Impact of Retail Theft & Violence. Explore how retailers continue to manage an evolving landscape of theft, violence and fraud in this report. According to the report, those increased safety measures include management training (72%), employee training (65%) and the use of risk intelligence technologies (61%), among other proactive measures. "Preventing violence in a retail environment requires a structured approach that includes identifying, reporting, assessing and training for a wide range of possible threats," the report states. As workplace violence has become a significant operational and safety issue, retailers - and LP/AP leaders - must take a holistic approach. The session presenters encouraged organizations to identify threat managers or build cross-functional threat assessment teams, with potential representation from operations, HR/associate relations, loss prevention/security, communications, legal, environmental health and safety and, when needed, external experts. Frank Patercity, director of advisory and risk consulting services at Control Risks, is one such expert. Patercity, a past PROTECT speaker and former police sergeant, has worked in global and corporate security for organizations such as Kroger, Wells Fargo and Trane Technologies. Control Risks often helps retailers assess a specific threat or concerning behavior case, gathering information about the person of interest or any warning signs or stressors to help establish the organization's level of risk. "Warning signs can include changes in baseline behavior or nursing a profound personal grievance," Patercity says. "That doesn't necessarily mean someone is moving toward violence, but it does suggest that something may be affecting them and warrants a closer look. In threat assessment, it's rarely one behavior in isolation that's concerning. It's the pattern of behaviors and circumstances - the sum of the parts - that helps inform risk." "Can we prevent every act of targeted violence? No. But many individuals display their distress, grievances, intentions or escalation through observable behaviors long before an attack occurs. When organizations are equipped to identify, assess and manage those warning signs, they create opportunities to intervene - and potentially prevent tragedy." How retailers can build an effective threat assessment program. Threat management is still emerging for many retailers, so they don't yet have teams or in-house experts in place. Patercity's key suggestions include the following: * Every reported concern should be assessed and appropriately investigated, though not every situation requires the same level of response. Each case is unique and should be evaluated based on its specific facts, behaviors and circumstances. * Retailers need a mechanism in place for employees and others to report concerning behavior. There must also be a process for assessing and managing the concerns. * Companies without teams in place might start with existing ORC, security and/or loss prevention investigators; the key is to ensure that those assessing and managing threats are properly trained and qualified. LP/AP leaders might also look to company executives for tabletop exercises and other activities that help convey the value of threat management and foster top-down support. Retailers can also collaborate with other retailers, as well as explore organizations such as the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals to learn about opportunities, events and education. Identifying warning signs before violence occurs. Back at the PROTECT session, attendees wrestled with the nuances of threat assessment, exploring what options might insert greater fear, anxiety or anger, and which might bring the best resolution. In the case study - as in real life - there may be no single right answer. Some in the session advocated for immediate termination (perhaps termed "separation" instead). Others wanted to "wait and see." Retail safety and security resources. Browse various resource topics, articles and reports to help you develop and benchmark your individual programs or needs. In some cases, Patercity says, it takes a tragedy or frightening situation for a company to work toward building more preventive measures. The times, however, demand a proactive response. "There are resources out there, and ways to prevent targeted violence from happening," he says. "Companies need to have somebody who is either well-versed in this discipline, or they need to reach out and find external experts to help guide them through. Even something that seems small, Patercity continues, might loom large to the trained eye. The difference could be significant.

Target, Lowe's, TJX beat Q1 estimates, raise outlook. Rendy Andriyanto Gotrade Team 20 Mei 2026 Table of contents. Gotrade News - Three major US retailers, Target, Lowe's, and TJX, all topped first-quarter earnings estimates on May 20, 2026. Each company raised its full-year sales and profit outlook, signaling a turn in consumer discretionary momentum heading into summer. The synchronized beat triggered a sector rotation back into US retail names on Wall Street. The prints suggest American household spending remains more resilient than analysts had feared at the start of the quarter. Key takeaways. * Target posted net sales of USD 25.4 billion, up 6.7%, with adjusted EPS of USD 1.71. * Lowe's delivered USD 23.1 billion in revenue and a fourth straight quarter of positive comparable sales. * TJX raised full-year EPS guidance to USD 5.08 through USD 5.15 after comparable sales rose 6%. According to Bloomberg, Target (TGT) reported comparable sales of plus 5.6 percent, ending four straight quarters in negative territory. Customer traffic rose 4.4 percent, the strongest driver behind the turnaround. Target's digital comparable sales jumped 8.9 percent, fueled by Target Circle 360 same-day delivery. Management lifted full-year sales guidance after the beat, closing out a long stretch of margin pressure. Inside the retail rebound. As reported by Quartz, Lowe's (LOW) delivered adjusted EPS of USD 3.03, beating the USD 2.97 consensus. Revenue of USD 23.1 billion also topped the Street estimate of USD 22.98 billion. Online sales at Lowe's surged 15.5 percent, becoming the company's primary growth engine this quarter. Strong spring execution and demand from professional contractors helped stabilize the home improvement segment. Per Investing.com, TJX Companies (TJX) posted revenue of USD 14.32 billion, above the USD 14 billion estimate. EPS of USD 1.19 also handily cleared the USD 1.02 consensus expectation. TJX comparable store sales rose 6 percent, double the 3 percent gain recorded a year ago. Gross margin expanded to 31.3 percent from 29.5 percent, signaling firm pricing discipline across the off-price channel. Risks still on the horizon. TJX raised its full-year comparable sales guidance to a range of 3 to 4 percent, up from 2 to 3 percent prior. Management also lifted its share buyback target to between USD 2.75 billion and USD 3.0 billion for fiscal 2027. The retailer flagged elevated fuel costs tied to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. That logistics headwind warns investors that next-quarter margins remain exposed to external shocks. Some analysts noted that HomeGoods' outsized performance shows consumers still spend when perceived value is high. The pattern explains why discount retail keeps growing even as tariff and labor pressures persist. TJX shares climbed about 6 percent after the print, while Lowe's reaction was mixed despite the beat. The market appears to be separating short-term execution wins from longer-term housing demand uncertainty. Target lifted capital spending 31 percent to USD 1.0 billion this quarter for store openings and renovations. The outlay signals management believes the traffic recovery is structural rather than a one-quarter seasonal bounce. The three reports give investors evidence that retail format differentiation now matters more than headline discounting. Off-price, omnichannel, and home improvement each carved out distinct growth paths in this earnings window. Sources. Disclaimer Gotrade is the trading name of Gotrade Securities Inc., which is registered with and supervised by the Labuan Financial Services Authority (LFSA). This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research (DYOR) before investing.