Trust no one. It sounds terrible, I know, but maintaining this mindset is the best way to prevent shoplifting in your store. The kindly old lady, the doe-eyed adolescent, that fellow in the wheelchair… no one. I once caught a woman who was, shall we say, weight challenged. Therefore a few unsightly rolls in her sweat suit wouldn’t draw any abnormal attention on a normal day. On this day, however, she got sloppy and a brand new girl’s t-shirt was protruding from her beltline. Once we stopped her we discovered 2 things: 1. she was nowhere near as big as we thought. 2. it’s possible to stuff $800 worth of merchandise in a 3X sweat suit.

To prevent shoplifting you must never be lax in your observation skills. About a week ago a woman in her 50’s came into one of the grocery stores I work for. She was nice and friendly to everyone, almost interrupting the staff from their daily routine with her long conversations. She selected a few things, went to the register and paid for them. She then walked back to the pharmacy where she held a conversation with the girl behind the counter for about 20 minutes, but never filled a prescription.

On her way out she grabbed an empty shopping cart that was in one of the aisles and took it down the pet food aisle. She filled that cart to the brim with dog food and made her way to the front of the store. She even waved good-bye to a woman working behind the floral counter before pushing that cart full of unpaid merchandise directly out the door. Oh, did heads hang low when I walked her back into the building. She never lost her cool though. She remained sweet and charming to me and even to the police officer that arrested her. Trust no one. It’s not exactly a hallmark sentiment, but it is the best way to prevent shoplifting.

For more information contact us: Prevent Shoplifting or call 1.770.426.0547

How hard is it to prevent shoplifting when most people don’t seem to consider it a serious problem.  Even the slang names that shoplifting goes by downplay its impact on retailers: jacked; robbed; grabbed; lifted; boosted; snitched; nicked; ripped; and snagged are all terms used by shoplifters to describe what they do.

The fact is that shoplifting a serious crime with an enormous impact on the economy.  According to the NASP, more than $13 Billion worth of goods are stolen each year from retailers. 

That equates to $35 Million per year. 

[“Information and statistics provided by the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention (NASP), a non-profit organization; www.shopliftingprevention.org.”]

Each and every customer who spends money with a retailer, whether it’s the local convenience store or the most exclusive boutique, makes up for the retailers’ shortfall by paying more for merchandise than he would if there were no retail theft.

Most shoplifters are just people like you and me.  The overwhelming majority of shoplifters would never steal from family or friends, or rob a bank, so studies have shown that the inclination to steal comes from social and personal pressures.

The first victim of the shoplifter is the storeowner, who has to take it on himself to prevent shoplifting from taking his business and livelihood.

Education, merchandising, and staff on the sales floor all help.

The most effective deterrent without keeping products locked away, is an EAS (electronic article surveillance system) such as on of the products provided by Checkpoint Security Systems.  A Checkpoint system standing at the exit to the store warns potential shoplifters that store management is serious about shoplifters.  It communicates to legitimate customers that the store values its shoppers by keeping prices as low as possible while still allowing access to all merchandise to touch or event to try on.

Prevent shoplifting by increasing the risk of detection and keep merchandise where it belongs, in the store or with a paying customer by using Checkpoint Security Systems anywhere shoplifting is a problem.

For information on ways to prevent shoplifting, call 770-426-0547 or click here for ideas.  Be sure and visit our Online Retail Loss Prevention Store.

 

What measures prevent shoplifting by juveniles and impulse shoplifters? 

When I managed a loss prevention department for a major retailer and dealt with shoplifters almost daily, I noticed that certain type of shoplifters that I called a “casual shoplifters”, almost always had certain characteristics in common.  Generally these shoplifters, who were middle class and up, didn’t come to the store to steal, but conceived the idea once inside.  When apprehended, they almost always had the means to purchase the merchandise, either cash or a credit card.  In the case of juveniles, they were often out shopping for a particular item, but decided it was to their advantage to steal the item and use the money (sometimes that their parents had given them for the item) for something else.

Adults would be shopping for a particular item as well, and would either decide that it was “too expensive” or to upgrade to a better brand of clothing.

At any rate, the opportunity would present itself because of inattention by the staff or a hidden area of the store, the merchandise would be concealed and walk out the door carrying its value and profit with it.

How much of this goes on?  The report card for retail loss prevention is found in the rate of inventory shrinkage for its particular responsibility, and all efforts to prevent shoplifting are reflected in that.  Casual shoplifting makes up a percentage of the loss, but fortunately is probably the easiest type of shoplifting to prevent.

Casual shoplifters are the most easily deterred by the sudden appearance of a salesperson (or anyone else for that matter), the presence of CCTV cameras, proximity of other shoppers, or the use of retail anti theft devices.

Simply put, an EAS system such as one of the models provided by Checkpoint Security Systems, detects merchandise that has not been paid for as it leaves the store.  The Checkpoint security tags that are placed on the merchandise allow the customer to handle, touch, and even try on the merchandise, but announces to the potential shoplifter that it is going to take considerable effort and risk to get out of the store undetected with his loot.

There is a device from Checkpoint Security Systems that is designed for almost any retail environment, merchandise, or situation.

Any retailer who is seriously considering ways to prevent shoplifting and improve profits should explore a retail theft device from Checkpoint Security Systems.

To discuss options available to prevent shoplifting, call 770-426-0547.  For further information, click here: Stop Shoplifting.  See our Online Loss Prevention store by clicking here.