Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 460,592 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,240 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,086 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,240 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,086 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,210 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 460,592 cutting edge ideas.

Socially Networked Crime Sprees

Police Warn About Theft by Flash Robs

— June 22, 2011 — Social Media
Flash robs are on the rise and that has a lot of retailers worried. Using the same social media and networking technologies used for other flash mob activities like dancing and political protest, flash robs are seemingly instantaneous gatherings of thieves who hit convenience stores and other retailers to commit robberies.

Though the participants are being videotaped, they still laugh and joke and have a lot of fun stealing seemingly small items. A single, well-attended flash rob of a small retailer can put it out of business. Because flash rob plots are hatched using social media, police have begun monitoring social media sites more closely and hope to thwart the "safety in numbers" theory that seems to embolden flash rob participants.

Image
Trend Themes
1. Flash Robs - Utilizing social media and networking technologies, flash robs are becoming a concerning trend for retailers, presenting opportunities for disruptive innovation in security and surveillance systems.
2. Social Media Monitoring - Law enforcement agencies are increasing their focus on monitoring social media sites to prevent and respond to flash robs, opening opportunities for innovative software and technology solutions.
3. Retail Store Vulnerability - The rise of flash robs highlights the vulnerability of small retailers, creating opportunities for disruptive innovation in store layout, security measures, and loss prevention strategies.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - The retail industry is directly affected by flash robs and can explore innovative solutions to enhance security and protect businesses from such incidents.
2. Security and Surveillance - The security and surveillance industry can leverage the rise of flash robs to develop advanced technologies and systems that can prevent and respond effectively to such crimes.
3. Social Media Monitoring - The emerging need for monitoring social media for criminal activities like flash robs opens up opportunities for software and technology companies to provide innovative solutions for law enforcement agencies.
2.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness