Big retail stores across the nation rely primarily in technology to prevent shoplifting according to industry analysts. The physical loss prevention officers of long ago, are quickly being replaced by technology in the stores. The interpretation and study of the data obtained fighting shoplifting and employee theft are invaluable during these times.
While smaller stores rely on locking freezers to protect their merchandise, that is not feasible for most other stores. Smaller stores need to understand the problem, and find a solution that is reasonable for them.
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Retailer forced to use bike lock on chillers to prevent shoplifting
A Coventry convenience retailer has been forced to fit a bicycle chain lock on his chiller doors to prevent shoplifting after it cost him £12,000 last year.
Paul Cheema, owner of Malcolm’s Store, said as well as the bike lock, he had put bells on the chillers. He said the store had been targeted by gangs stealing large amounts of meat and cheese.
Speaking to Radio 4’s You and Yours, Cheema said: “One man took 32 packs of bacon and 20 packs of cheese. We put bicycle chains and doorbells on our fridges so every time a door opens an alarm sounds.”
He added that he was using social media to post pictures of suspects.
Eyes open: Catching shoplifters takes vigilance, prevention
When a retailer sees someone suspicious wandering the aisles, they can’t just call police.
Acting shady in a store isn’t illegal. Neither is putting an item in your pocket.
Under North Dakota law, an item must be taken past the last point of sale before it is considered stolen.
Jerry Cox, a regional manager for Valley Dairy in Grand Forks, said employees at their nine area convenience stores are trained to watch for shoplifters.
Often, he said, a shoplifter will pocket some items and purchase others. If an employee sees someone tuck something away between the aisles, they have to give the person every chance to pay. The clerk often will ask if there’s anything else they want.
“You have to assume they’re honest,” Cox said.
Using technology in today’s loss prevention career environment
“You don’t have to be an IT guy to understand cyber security, and it’s critical that you have enough of an understanding to know what questions to ask”
As an adjunct professor for AMU’s Center for Applied Learning, Dr. Robert Pittman imparts wisdom to next-generation loss prevention leaders, for whom he has the following warning—you can never “complete” your education. The world, risks, and business are always changing and loss prevention practitioners, and the loss prevention industry as a whole, must continually adapt. If not, individuals will find their career paths limited and the industry itself—just now gaining a seat at the management table—could be pushed to the background.
Today’s major retail operations are driven by technology, and entire supply chains rely on how effectively it is managed. Loss prevention practitioners need to have the skills to effectively navigate this tech-based environment if they want to advance their careers and help the LP industry thrive, Pittman believes. “Loss prevention used to be about focusing on the shoplifter in the store, but that’s completely changed. Those strictly physical security guys are quickly becoming extinct,” he said.
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