Saturday, May 17, 2008

The newest experts in private security: Target

In what is to me a stunning example of how a corporation can use its security services for profit, none other than Target is now raking in $63 billion in revenues via their forensics department.

There are so many great points to make regarding this interesting facet of their business, but I'll make three quick points.
  1. Target obviously thinks that the government sponsored "security" is not
    enough to protect their assets. This may not be so significant because
    there are plenty of businesses that do this, but look at the extent of
    their operation!
  2. Target believes that they can use their security service to make serious profit. Those who claim there is no incentive for security agencies to exist are off their rockers.
  3. Target does it so well that even the government calls them up for help. In an age where government is looked upon as the caretaker of us all from cradle to grave, it is nice to see that some don't buy it.
Once again, Target shows itself to be in nearly a class by itself.

CSI: Target - Forbes.com
"Their crime lab would count as sophisticated if run by a police force. But this one, incongruously, is owned by a retail chain. The $63 billion (revenues) Target got into forensics as a way to combat shoplifting and such crimes but has taken its skills far beyond the department store. Its seven-person team of investigators, most of them former law enforcement officials, spend 70% of their time fighting theft, fraud and personal injury cases involving Target's 1,600 stores. But the lab is also frequently tapped by city, state and federal law-enforcement agencies, including the Los Angeles Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to solve big cases."