Business

Theft-Proofing Retail: How TRACARTS Revolutionizes Cart Security

Published

9 months 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

13 Reasons Investors Are Watching Phoenix Energy’s Expansion in the Williston Basin

Published

5 days ago

April 23, 2025

Matthew Wiles

As energy security becomes a growing priority in the United States, companies focused on domestic oil production are gaining attention from investors. One such company is Phoenix Energy, an independent oil and gas company operating in the Williston Basin, a prolific oil-producing region spanning North Dakota and Montana.

Phoenix Energy has established itself as a key player in this sector, expanding its footprint while offering structured investment opportunities to accredited investors. Through Regulation D 506(c) corporate bonds, the company provides investment options with annual interest rates ranging from 9% to 13%.

Here are 13 reasons why Phoenix Energy is attracting investor interest in 2025:

1. U.S. energy production remains a strategic priority

The global energy landscape is evolving, with a renewed focus on domestic oil and gas production to enhance economic stability and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources. The Williston Basin, home to the Bakken and Three Forks formations, continues to play a critical role in meeting these demands. Phoenix Energy has established an operational footprint in the basin, where it is actively investing in development and production.

2. Investment opportunities with fixed annual interest rates

Phoenix Energy bonds offer accredited investors annual interest rates between 9% and 13% through Regulation D 506(c). These bonds help fund the company’s expansion in the Williston Basin, where it acquires and develops oil and gas assets.

3. Record-breaking drilling speeds in the Williston Basin

Phoenix Energy has made significant strides in drilling efficiency, ranking among the fastest drillers in the Bakken Formation as of late 2024. By reducing drilling times, the company aims to optimize operations and improve overall production performance.

4. Expansion of operational footprint

Since becoming an operator in September 2023, Phoenix Energy has grown rapidly. As of March 2025, the company has 53 wells drilled and 96 wells planned over the next 12 months.

5. Surpassing production expectations

Phoenix Energy’s oil production has steadily increased. By mid-2024, its cumulative production had exceeded 1.57 million barrels, outpacing its total output for 2023. The company projected an exit rate of nearly 20,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day by the end of March 2025.

6. High-net-worth investor offerings

For investors seeking alternative investments with higher-yield opportunities, Phoenix Energy offers the Adamantium bonds through Reg D 506(c), which provides corporate bonds with annual interest rates between 13% and 16%, with investment terms ranging from 5 to 11 years, and a minimum investment of $2 million.

7. Experienced team with industry-specific expertise

Phoenix Energy’s leadership and technical teams include professionals with decades of oil and gas experience, including backgrounds in drilling engineering, land acquisition, and reservoir analysis. This level of in-house expertise supports the company’s ability to evaluate acreage, manage operations, and execute its long-term development plans in the Williston Basin.

8. Focus on investor communication and understanding

Phoenix Energy prioritizes clear investor communication. The company hosts webinars and provides access to licensed professionals who walk investors through the business model and operations in the oil and gas sector. These efforts aim to help investors better understand how Phoenix Energy deploys capital across mineral acquisitions and operated wells.

9. Managing market risk through strategic planning

The energy sector is cyclical, and Phoenix Energy takes a structured approach to risk management. The company employs hedging strategies and asset-backed financing to help mitigate potential fluctuations in the oil market.

10. Commitment to compliance

Phoenix Energy conducts its bond offerings under the SEC’s Regulation D Rule 506(c) exemption. These offerings are made available exclusively to accredited investors and are facilitated through a registered broker-dealer to support adherence to federal securities laws. Investors can review applicable offering filings on the SEC’s EDGAR database.

11. Recognition for business practices

As of April 2025, Phoenix Energy maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and is a BBB-accredited business. The company has also earned strong ratings on investor review platforms such as Trustpilot and Google Reviews, where investors often highlight clear communication and transparency.

12. A family-founded business with a long-term vision

Led by CEO Adam Ferrari, Phoenix Energy operates as a family-founded business with a focus on long-term investment strategies. The company’s leadership emphasizes responsible growth and sustainable development in the Williston Basin.

13. Positioned for long-term growth in the oil sector

With U.S. energy demand projected to remain strong, Phoenix Energy is strategically positioned for continued expansion. The company’s focus on efficient drilling, financial discipline, and structured investment offerings aligns with its goal of building a resilient and growth-oriented business.

Final thoughts

For investors looking to gain exposure to the U.S. oil and gas sector, Phoenix Energy presents an opportunity to participate in a structured alternative investment backed by the company’s operational expansion in the Williston Basin.

Accredited investors interested in learning more can attend one of Phoenix Energy’s investor webinars, which are hosted daily throughout the week. These sessions provide insights into market trends, risk management strategies, and investment opportunities.

For more information, visit the Phoenix Energy website.

Phoenix Capital Group Holdings, LLC is now Phoenix Energy One, LLC, doing business as Phoenix Energy. The testimonials on review sites may not be representative of other investors not listed on the sites. The testimonials are no guarantee of future performance or success of the Company or a return on investment. Alternative investments are speculative, illiquid, and you may lose some or all of your investment. Securities are offered by Dalmore Group member FINRA/SIPC. Dalmore Group and Phoenix Energy are not affiliated. See full disclosures.

This article contains forward-looking statements based on our current expectations, assumptions, and beliefs about future events and market conditions. These statements, identifiable by terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “may,” “expect,” “plan,” “should,” and similar expressions, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Factors that may impact these outcomes include changes in market conditions, regulatory developments, operational performance, and other risks described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and Phoenix Energy undertakes no obligation to update them except as required by law.