As a retail professional, safeguarding your company’s staff and assets from organize retail crime and fraud is crucial, especially as the National Retail Federation reports that “criminal activities we witness in stores across the nation and the incidents of violence tied to them are on the rise”. In 2024 nearly half of U.S. retail staff reported calling police or other public safety personnel to stores monthly, and over a quarter said they considered resigning due to safety concerns at work.

Many retailers are not aware that human traffickers help drive organized retail crime (ORC) and financial fraud, making it essential to be vigilant and proactive in combating this issue. Some traffickers force victims to shoplift items or purchase gift cards for them, which can then be used to fund trafficking operations without a paper trail. Shoplifted goods that are resold and gift cards exchanged for cash on third-party resale sites enable traffickers to launder money and profit from their victims in addition to forcing them into commercial sex or other types of labor. Since "theft mules” are often victims of human trafficking, retailers can help prevent ORC by training their employees to identify indicators of human trafficking and respond promptly.

BEST (Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking) equips retail leaders and their staff with the knowledge and skills to recognize and respond effectively to signs of human trafficking through our online BEST Basics training. Through BEST Basics, you and your staff will gain valuable insights into how to spot human trafficking and intervene appropriately. This training is engaging, efficient, economical, and practical-- ensuring that your team is well-prepared to handle these critical situations.

Engaging and Efficient: Our 30-minute online training is designed to be engaging and easy to complete on any type of device. In contrast to other trainings that use voiced-over slides or animated graphics, BEST Basics includes firsthand accounts from trafficking survivors, law enforcement, and business leaders, knowledge checks and concrete action steps to help staff understand, remember, and effectively apply the information provided.

Economical: Our training is cost effective. For example, for 250 staff members, the cost is less than $10 per employee. The pricing model is scalable, so the more staff you train, the lower the cost per employee.

Practical: You will learn to identify the signs of trafficking, and the appropriate steps to take when you suspect trafficking is occurring. This knowledge is crucial in reducing losses, protecting your business, and ensuring the safety of your customers and employees.

Spanish Option Coming Soon: Starting in June, your employees will have the option of taking BEST Basics in English or Spanish.

To learn more about BEST Basics training, please enter your contact information below. We’ll provide you with a custom quote and answer any questions you may have.

BEST provides employers with solutions to counter human trafficking and drive traffickers out of business. By using BEST Basics with your staff, you proactively create a safer and more ethical retail environment. You also contribute to a larger movement to eradicate human trafficking and support the victims of this horrible crime.

In addition to our employee-addressed training, BEST offers a variety of resources and support services to help businesses combat human trafficking. These include policy development assistance, awareness campaigns, and access to a network of experts and organizations dedicated to ending human trafficking. Visit bestalliance.org to explore these resources and learn how you can get involved.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Equip your team with the knowledge and skills they need to combat organized retail crime, prevent human trafficking, and protect your business. Contact us today to get started with BEST Basics training.