The retail environment as a whole has changed in the past year. We live in troubled economic times. Many of last year’s laggards are today’s “former retailers.” While average shrink has fallen slightly, Loss Prevention continues to occupy top-of-mind awareness among retail executives. In difficult economic times, preserving gross margin is more important than ever before.

What are the most important new challenges retailers face? And what opportunities do they perceive that come out of those challenges?