Business

Theft-Proofing Retail: How TRACARTS Revolutionizes Cart Security

Published

1 year ago

July 29, 2024

The problem of shopping cart theft is as old as the shopping cart itself. According to the Food Marketing Institute, approximately 2 million shopping carts are stolen or simply go missing every year, leading to substantial monetary losses for retailers that trickle down to the everyday consumer.

The escalating cost of living is a growing concern not only for consumers but also for retailers. While stolen carts may not be making regular headlines, they are a costly issue that threatens to worsen the economic strain that has already taken hold, with entire municipalities now getting involved in the missing cart problem.

Recently, the city of Fayetteville, North Carolina, earmarked $78,000 of taxpayer funds to tackle the cart problem and used the money to round up as many missing carts as possible over a two-year period. Albuquerque, New Mexico, ran a similar program, retrieving over 1,800 carts in just two months.

Missing and stolen carts create economic hardship, issues for consumers, and blight for cities. Thankfully, TRACARTS is a company stepping forward with a technology-informed solution, working to significantly reduce the number of carts that are stolen or otherwise go missing every year and save retailers time and money.

The cost of wayward carts

With each cart taken from a retailer, that retailer stands to lose upward of $180. Yet the millions of carts that go missing each year are a significant hit to not only the retailer but also the shoppers because when retailers seek to recoup funds lost due to missing and stolen carts, they are often forced to raise their prices.

TRACARTS has considered the human element of the cart problem with its system. In fact, the psychological aspect of the TRACARTS system is likely why it works so well.

“There are those retail stores that protect their carts by charging money from customers, who get a refund once their cart is returned,” says Chaya Grosinger, Chief Administrative Officer for TRACARTS. “In the U.S., this security measure is utilized with a quarter. If you wanted a cart, would you be willing to spend or lose 25 cents for a cart that costs upwards of $180?”

There is also an altruistic side to the cart problem that TRACARTS is leveraging. Recently, the question of whether one returns a cart after use has become a social media test of moral righteousness. The general consensus seems to be that “good people” return carts, while those who don’t face society’s harsh judgment.

This litmus test is part of TRACART’s multifaceted approach to solving the missing cart problem. TRACARTS is betting on the good feeling that comes from returning one’s cart.

A tech-informed solution

Along with psychology, TRACARTS is also using technology to address the issue of missing and stolen carts. They know that the psychological pull of a “good deed” may not be sufficient to truly address this costly issue, so the solution must be multifaceted.

The user-friendly TRACARTS system makes it easy to track and secure shopping carts while they’re in use and when they are returned. The TRAC hub — a series of customizable shopping cart trains arranged in one, two, or three multidirectional lines — can be installed in any retail store’s parking lot. Strategic placement of the TRAC hub allows for easy access to the carts without having to weave through parked cars.

When the carts are not in use, the TRAC system locks them into place. They can be released through the system’s smart technology program, with the TRAC kiosk acting as the customer interface that dispenses or accepts them. Shoppers can use a White Label app, a fob, a PIN code, or a phone number, among various other identification forms, to release the carts.

Returning the carts is hassle-free. Shoppers simply place the carts back into the TRAC hub without further interaction with the kiosk.

The integration of smart technology is another facet of the TRACARTS system that makes it stand apart from other solutions. It provides retailers with valuable data analytics and ways to engage with their shoppers. TRAC dashboard is entirely customizable, allowing it to meet the specific needs of different retailers depending on what date they are interested in collecting. Shoppers are incentivized to return their carts and given access to special promotions, such as VIP discounts and rewards, culminating in a positive shopping experience for both the shopper and the retailer while also gamifying the cart return process.

While the issue of stolen and missing carts will not vanish overnight, TRACARTS is deploying advanced technology, social consciousness, and psychology to help retailers save time and money. As more retailers realize that this problem will not simply go away on its own, they will turn to solutions like TRACARTS to help them manage their cart inventory and make shopping at their stores a more pleasant experience.

Business

What to Look for in an Enterprise Webcasting Solution

Published

6 days ago

September 12, 2025

Matthew Wiles

The modern workplace doesn’t stand still. Teams are global, employees are remote, and companies must communicate faster and at scale. That’s why enterprise webcasting has gone from a niche tool to an essential part of internal communication strategies.

Reliability is the starting point when broadcasting to hundreds or thousands of employees, stakeholders, or partners. The platform you choose needs to deliver more than a stable video feed; it must offer security, accessibility, scalability, and real engagement.

For enterprises navigating this decision, here’s what to consider before committing to a webcasting platform.

Scale and Performance Matter More Than You Think

It’s one thing to host a video call with your immediate team. It’s another to run a high-stakes webcast for your entire global workforce. Enterprise webcasting means reaching large, often geographically dispersed audiences, sometimes tens of thousands of people at once. And when that’s the case, performance isn’t negotiable.

Your platform should offer proven scalability with minimal lag, buffering, or outage risk. Many organizations underestimate the bandwidth and technical infrastructure needed to deliver seamless webcasting at scale. Look for solutions that utilize global content delivery networks (CDNs) and redundant systems to guarantee smooth streaming, regardless of your viewers’ location.

The reality is, your message only lands if the technology holds up under pressure.

Security Isn’t Optional

In a world of growing cyber risks and data privacy concerns, security must be front and center, especially for enterprise webcasts. Not every message is meant for public ears, from internal town halls to sensitive investor briefings.

Leading webcasting platforms provide enterprise-grade security features like encrypted streams, password protection, login authentication, and customizable access controls. Depending on your industry, you may also need to meet specific regulatory requirements for data protection and compliance.

Ultimately, your webcasting solution should provide peace of mind, knowing that confidential information stays where it belongs.

User Experience Makes or Breaks Engagement

Let’s face it: no one wants to wrestle with clunky software minutes before a big company update. The best webcasting platforms make life easy for both presenters and attendees.

Intuitive interfaces and simplified workflows reduce stress and help presenters focus on delivering the message. The process should be frictionless for attendees, with one-click access, mobile compatibility, and no need for complicated installations.

But accessibility isn’t just technical, it’s also about inclusivity. Your platform should offer features like captions, translations, or on-demand playback options to ensure your workforce can engage with the content.

Because if people can’t easily join or follow along, your webcast risks becoming background noise.

Engagement is More Than Just Showing Up

In enterprise settings, communication can’t be one-way. True engagement requires interaction.

Modern webcasting solutions offer features like real-time Q&A, live polls, and chat functions to turn passive viewers into active participants. These elements keep audiences focused and create opportunities for meaningful feedback.

Especially for company-wide meetings or virtual events covering important updates, giving employees a voice makes the experience feel collaborative, not just another broadcast.

Data and Insights Drive Improvement

One of the most overlooked aspects of enterprise webcasting is analytics. But without data, it’s impossible to measure success or spot opportunities for improvement.

Look for platforms that provide detailed reporting, including attendance metrics, engagement rates, audience locations, and performance benchmarks. Over time, these insights help refine your communication strategy, adjusting formats, reworking content, or targeting specific groups with follow-up resources.

The more visibility you have into how people interact with your webcasts, the better equipped you are to make those events impactful.

Flexibility for Different Event Types

Not all webcasts are created equal. Some are formal, high-production events with large audiences. Others are more casual, interactive sessions for smaller groups.

The platform you choose should give you the flexibility to manage both scenarios. Whether you’re hosting a polished executive briefing, a technical product demonstration, or a virtual town hall, the tools should scale to fit your needs, without requiring entirely different systems or workflows.

Many providers also offer managed services for high-profile events, giving you access to technical experts who handle the backend so your team can focus on the message.

Final Thoughts

Webcasting has become a critical tool for modern businesses, but choosing the right platform requires more than just comparing price tags. It’s about finding a solution that delivers reliability, security, engagement, and scalability while making the process simple for both your team and your audience.

With enterprise webcasting, companies can ensure their most important messages are delivered securely and at scale, whether to employees down the hall or stakeholders around the globe.