“Shrink,” or retail theft, has become a pressing challenge for retailers, featuring prominently in earnings calls as a counterpart to AI discussions, but with a negative impact on profits. Dick’s Sporting Goods’ recent call emphasized the surprise impact of shrink, attributed to higher-than-expected theft incidents and organized retail crime. Other retailers like Dollar Tree (NYSE:DLTR), Macy’s (NYSE:M), The Home Depot (NYSE:HD), and Target (NYSE:TGT) have also addressed missing merchandise in their earnings calls. This growing trend indicates a major issue for retailers, prompting defensive actions. Despite concerns of a “bandwagon effect,” the rise of shrink as an industry-wide concern is driven by an increase in theft, evident in $94.5 billion worth of shrink in 2021, up from $90.8 billion in 2020. While accurate inventory estimates reflect theft-related shrinkage, external factors like online resale platforms contribute to the rise. This problem, coupled with economic challenges and evolving consumer behavior, underscores the complexity retailers face. Knightscope (NASDAQ:KSCP) is at the forefront of combating theft. The company’s innovative solutions are making a significant impact in the fight against criminal activities and the wins are stacking up.

By leveraging cutting-edge technology, Knightscope (NASDAQ:KSCP) is providing businesses and organizations with advanced tools to enhance security and protect their assets. Using a combination of robotics, artificial intelligence, and data analysis, Knightscope‘s autonomous security robots are revolutionizing the security industry. These robots are designed to patrol areas, monitor activities, and detect potential security breaches. By constantly analyzing the environment and identifying unusual behavior, they can help prevent theft and other security incidents.

On August 24,Knightscope announced the acquisition of two new contracts in Texas. One contract involves three of its K1 Hemispheres, while the other is for a K1 Blue Light Tower.

One of Knightscope‘s resellers, a Houston-based security company offering tailored security services across 42 U.S. states, has secured a pre-order contract for three K1 Hemisphere Autonomous Security Robots (ASRs) from a gated golf community in central Texas. This contract follows Knightscope‘s recent announcement of the Hemispheres entering their final testing phase as the company prepares to fulfill pre-order contracts.

Another sale originates from an existing Knightscope customer in San Antonio, expanding their deployment of K1 Blue Light Tower (K1BLT) emergency communication devices. This sale increases the total number of K1BLTs in park areas to 16. Blue light towers and emergency phones provide swift access to first response services, enhancing emergency assistance availability for park users facing crises or distress situations.

Earlier in August, Knightscope announced the acquisition of two new contracts with a casino located in northern California. The casino has entered into an agreement for one K1 Tower and has separately pre-ordered two K1 Hemisphere Autonomous Security Robots (ASRs) from the company. Knightscope recently finalized the testing phase by deploying two K1 Hemispheres in Hawaii, gearing up to fulfill its pre-order contracts.

Knightscope also recently revealed a new agreement with a leading self-storage company. The initial contract involves the purchase of five K5 Autonomous Security Robots (ASRs). This self-storage client is a rapidly expanding platform with assets concentrated in densely populated urban markets across the United States.

The K5 ASRs by Knightscope will undertake security patrols at five self-storage sites, encompassing two locations in the Portland area and three others in California. These robots will play a crucial role in enhancing security measures and safeguarding tenants’ belongings. Alongside their security functions, the robots will broadcast informative messages to pedestrians and also serve as brand representatives. Pending the success of these initial deployments, the client is considering the possibility of implementing these robots at numerous other store locations.

For more information about Knightscope, Inc. (NASDAQ:KSCP), click here.

Retailers’ Recent Developments

In the second quarter, Dollar Tree’s (NYSE:DLTR) consolidated net sales rose 8.2% to $7.32 billion, with a 6.9% increase in enterprise same-store sales. Dollar Tree‘s same-store sales grew 7.8% due to higher foot traffic but a lower average transaction value, while Family Dollar’s sales rose 5.8%, boosted by increased foot traffic and average ticket. Gross profit edged up 0.5% to $2.13 billion, but gross margin declined 220 basis points to 29.2% due to the previous year’s unique margin benefit. The company opened 118 new stores, expanded its multi-price Plus offering to 715 more Dollar Tree stores, and added frozen and refrigerated items to 1,645 additional Dollar Tree stores. It also completed 276 Family Dollar store renovations, established a $1.5 billion commercial paper program, and saw a $189.7 million rise in net cash from operating activities and a $40.5 million improvement in free cash flow compared to Q2 2022.

Macy’s (NYSE:M) has revealed plans to open four new small-format stores in the fall of 2023. This expansion marks the first entry of its small-format stores into the Northeast and Western regions of the United States, with store openings set for Boston, Las Vegas, and San Diego. The expansion trend continues in the Midwest with the addition of a third location in Highland, Indiana. While the existing eight locations are called Market by Macy’s, the upcoming small-format stores will bear the iconic Macy’s nameplate. These stores aim to provide a seamless shopping experience, offering well-known market brands, Macy’s private brands, convenient services, local events, and the latest trends, all within an easily navigable environment.

The Home Depot (NYSE:HD) unveiled in July its 2023 ESG Report, detailing the company’s strides in its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) pillars: Focus on our People, Operate Sustainably, and Strengthen our Communities. Throughout this year, the company accomplished several ESG objectives and established new ones to benefit associates, customers, communities, and the environment. In 2022, the company notably curtailed its Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by around 92,000 metric tons, equivalent to removing over 20,000 cars from roads for a year. The Home Depot recently presented fresh carbon reduction targets for Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 “Use of Products Sold” emissions to the Science Based Target initiative.

During the second quarter, Target’s (NYSE:TGT) operating income margin rate reached 4.8%, driven by a higher gross margin rate, exceeding last year by 3+ percentage points. Q2’s GAAP and Adjusted EPS of $1.80 surged more than fourfold compared to the prior year, surpassing the upper guidance range. Despite a 5.4% dip in comparable sales, growth in frequency-driven segments like Essentials & Beauty and Food & Beverage partially offset discretionary declines. Same-day services grew nearly 4%, led by a 7% increase in Drive-Up. Q2’s end saw inventory down 17% YoY, due to a substantial 25% reduction in discretionary categories, offset by investments in frequency-driven areas. Adjusting projections due to recent sales patterns, Target foresees mid-single digit comparable sales decline for the year, with full-year GAAP and Adjusted EPS ranging between $7.00 to $8.00.

Knightscope‘s Robot Roadshow is set to arrive in Dallas, TX, from September 11-13, 2023, as part of the Global Security Exchange (GSX) 2023 event.

Featured Image @ Freepik

Disclosure:

1) The author of the Article, or members of the author’s immediate household or family, do not own any securities of the companies set forth in this Article. The author determined which companies would be included in this article based on research and understanding of the sector.

2) The Article was issued on behalf of and sponsored by, Knightscope, Inc. Market Jar Media Inc. has or expects to receive from Knightscope, Inc.’s Digital Marketing Agency of Record (Native Ads Inc.) two hundred and sixty-six thousand USD for 89 days (63 business days).

3) Statements and opinions expressed are the opinions of the author and not Market Jar Media Inc., its directors or officers. The author is wholly responsible for the validity of the statements. The author was not paid by Market Jar Media Inc. for this Article. Market Jar Media Inc. was not paid by the author to publish or syndicate this Article. Market Jar has not independently verified or otherwise investigated all such information. None of Market Jar or any of their respective affiliates, guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any such information. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Market Jar Media Inc. requires contributing authors to disclose any shareholdings in, or economic relationships with, companies that they write about. Market Jar Media Inc. relies upon the authors to accurately provide this information and Market Jar Media Inc. has no means of verifying its accuracy.

4) The Article does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of the information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Market Jar Media Inc.’s terms of use and full legal disclaimer as set forth here. This Article is not a solicitation for investment. Market Jar Media Inc. does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on PressReach.com should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Market Jar Media Inc. does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on PressReach.com.

5) Market Jar Media Inc. and its respective directors, officers and employees hold no shares for any company mentioned in the Article.

6) This document contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, (collectively, “forward-looking statements”), which reflect management’s expectations regarding Knightscope, Inc.’s future growth, future business plans and opportunities, expected activities, and other statements about future events, results or performance. Wherever possible, words such as “predicts”, “projects”, “targets”, “plans”, “expects”, “does not expect”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “anticipate” or “does not anticipate”, “believe”, “intend” and similar expressions or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative or grammatical variation thereof or other variations thereof, or comparable terminology have been used to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements relating to: (a) revenue generating potential with respect to Knightscope, Inc.’s industry; (b) market opportunity; (c) Knightscope, Inc.’s business plans and strategies; (d) services that Knightscope, Inc. intends to offer; (e) Knightscope, Inc.’s milestone projections and targets; (f) Knightscope, Inc.’s expectations regarding receipt of approval for regulatory applications; (g) Knightscope, Inc.’s intentions to expand into other jurisdictions including the timeline expectations relating to those expansion plans; and (h) Knightscope, Inc.’s expectations with regarding its ability to deliver shareholder value. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management in light of management’s experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, as of the date of this document including, without limitation, assumptions about: (a) the ability to raise any necessary additional capital on reasonable terms to execute Knightscope, Inc.’s business plan; (b) that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; (c) Knightscope, Inc.’s ability to procure equipment and operating supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis; (d) Knightscope, Inc.’s ability to enter into contractual arrangements with additional Pharmacies; (e) the accuracy of budgeted costs and expenditures; (f) Knightscope, Inc.’s ability to attract and retain skilled personnel; (g) political and regulatory stability; (h) the receipt of governmental, regulatory and third-party approvals, licenses and permits on favorable terms; (i) changes in applicable legislation; (j) stability in financial and capital markets; and (k) expectations regarding the level of disruption to as a result of CV-19. Such forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of Knightscope, Inc. to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: (a) Knightscope, Inc.’s operations could be adversely affected by possible future government legislation, policies and controls or by changes in applicable laws and regulations; (b) public health crises such as CV-19 may adversely impact Knightscope, Inc.’s business; (c) the volatility of global capital markets; (d) political instability and changes to the regulations governing Knightscope, Inc.’s business operations (e) Knightscope, Inc. may be unable to implement its growth strategy; and (f) increased competition.

Except as required by law, Knightscope, Inc. undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future event or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Neither does Knightscope, Inc. nor any of its representatives make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, sufficiency or completeness of the information in this document. Neither Knightscope, Inc. nor any of its representatives shall have any liability whatsoever, under contract, tort, trust or otherwise, to you or any person resulting from the use of the information in this document by you or any of your representatives or for omissions from the information in this document.

7) Any graphs, tables or other information demonstrating the historical performance or current or historical attributes of Knightscope, Inc. or any other entity contained in this document are intended only to illustrate historical performance or current or historical attributes of Knightscope, Inc. or such entities and are not necessarily indicative of future performance of Knightscope, Inc. or such entities.

8) Investing is risky. The information provided in this article should not be considered as a substitute for professional financial consultation. Users should be aware that investing in any form carries inherent risks, and as such, there is a possibility of losing some or all of their investment. The value of investments can fluctuate significantly within a short period, and investors must understand that past performance is not indicative of future results. Additionally, users should exercise caution as transactions involving investments may be irreversible, even in cases of fraud or accidental actions. It is crucial to acknowledge that rapidly evolving laws and technical issues can have adverse effects on the usability, transferability, exchangeability, and value of investments. Furthermore, users must be cognizant of potential security risks associated with their investment activities. Individuals are strongly encouraged to conduct thorough research, seek professional advice, and carefully evaluate their risk tolerance before engaging in any investment endeavors. Market Jar Media Inc. is neither an investment adviser nor a broker-dealer. The information presented on the website is provided for informative purposes only and is not to be treated as a recommendation to make any specific investment. No such information on PressReach.com constitutes advice or a recommendation.

• Featured News RSS feed
• Investing News RSS feed
• Daily Press Releases RSS feed
• Trading Tips RSS feed
• Investing Videos RSS feed

Follow PressReach on Twitter
Follow PressReach on TikTok
Follow PressReach on Instagram
Subscribe to us on Youtube