Can a Mystery Shopper Stop Shoplifting?

How Can a Mystery Shopper Stop Shoplifting?

I don’t mean that the mystery shopper is actually doing the shoplifting, but what the shopper includes in her evaluation can point to weaknesses in a store’s anti shoplifting efforts.

A mystery shopper should be looking for conditions defined by the store management and a consultant from the company that provides the mystery shopper.  For instance, a shopper may be instructed to take note of the way she is greeted by store staff.  Is proper attention paid to the shopper or does she enter the store unnoticed and ignored?  As she browses in areas of the store that are hidden from cashier’s view, is she approached and offered assistance?  Are policies being followed concerning incoming packages, that is, are they checked and sealed?

Do the employees make eye contact with the shopper, an efficient way to recognize the shopper and stop shoplifting by customers who feel they have been recognized?

The shopper can be scheduled to visit the store at times that are considered vulnerable to theft, such as opening or closing.  Busy times or slow times may be best for a shopper’s visit, and the visits may be varied so that different scenarios are evaluated.

To stop shoplifting is often not the first priority when a mystery shopping service is used, but in some cases it should be.

To plan a mystery shopping visit to stop shoplifting and evaluate service employee performance, call 770-426-0547 or click:  Stop Shoplifting You can also visit our On-Line Store