Blog of Masterwork Automodules

In an age of seamless shopping and instant convenience, many retailers are turning toward a very different model: the “fortress store.” From California to London to Melbourne, more items are being secured behind glass, tagged with GPS trackers, or placed under lock and key. Everyday essentials like deodorant, baby formula, and coffee are now as protected as luxury handbags once were. The rise of fortress stores reflects a global surge in retail theft and aggression. However, it also raises a difficult question: are we compromising the shopping experience for the sake of safeguarding stores? A Global Crime Crisis The numbers tell a troubling story. In Australia, retail theft surged to a 21-year high in 2024, with 268,666 theft cases and losses topping $7.79 billion. In the U.S., shoplifting incidents in California rose nearly 14% in 2024, marking a 47.5% increase since 2019, even as other property crimes declined. Crackdowns on organized retail crime (ORC) recovered more than $8 m...

In an era dominated by digital payments, the relevance of cash is often overlooked. Yet surveys show its importance in daily life. A 2025 UK study found 55% of adults still carry cash for practical reasons like parking or shopping trolleys. While digital transactions surge worldwide, with some nations aiming for a cashless society by 2030, physical currency continues to offer financial control, inclusivity, and community value. Unlike digital payments, which come with transaction fees that cut into local businesses’ profits, cash keeps its full value as it circulates. A single $50 note can move through dozens of hands, paying debts, funding small shops, covering meals, and supporting suppliers, without losing a cent. In contrast, every digital transaction redirects a portion of money to banks and financial institutions, draining value from local economies. Global Perspectives on Cash Usage Despite the global trend towards digital payments, many countries continue to recognize t...