Theft and fraud are growing concerns of consumers adopting mobile coupons and contactless payments, and researchers at the University of Arkansas are examining how to prevent them.

The Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas has partnered with the Retail Industry Leaders Association on a research initiative to address risks associated with self-checkout, mobile coupons, touchless payment and mobile self-checkout. The project will also identify and evaluate possible loss-prevention strategies.

"Retailers are quickly adapting to customers who are increasingly wired, self-sufficient and seeking convenience," John Aloysius, associate professor of supply chain management at the Walton College, said in a press release. "Given the retail focus of the Walton College, we look forward to discovering what this impact will be and to helping our industry partners."

The researchers will compile their findings in an industry report and then build a risk-assessment checklist that retailers can use at store locations to mitigate theft-related risks. The research is supported by Ernst & Young and Checkpoint Systems.

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