What Works Best- Loss Prevention Training

There are many different kinds of loss prevention training. Some are focused on shoplifting identification and shoplifting prevention. Other loss prevention training is centered on employee theft. Still others revolve around general store safety and operational best practices. Each focus can be the cause of major financial staring on small retailers.
When you understand what your store specific concerns are, it is easier to find a loss prevention workshop that will fit your needs. Why would you and your employees want to waste your time in loss prevention seminars that are too generalized or do not focus enough on your particular problems or worries?
The smart decision is to work with the training facilitators to make sure they understand exactly what your expectations are. There is no point in spending your time and your hard earned money on loss prevention training that will not produce a return on your investment later on.
One of the most commonly sought after loss prevention seminars are ones that focus on shoplifting. Regardless of your location, client base and product assortment, shoplifting can happen to you. Because of the frequency, these seminars are best suited for a wide array of retailers. Most shoplifters exhibit the same basic strategies and methods. The prevention tactics therefore are equally as universal as the crimes they are deterring and eliminating.
For more information on Loss Prevention Seminars, Loss Prevention Training, or Loss Prevention Workshop contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia
Visit the Loss Prevention Systems website for more information on Retail Employee Theft and Retail Shoplifting problems and view the Retail Loss Prevention Seminars, Retail Loss Prevention Training and Retail Loss Prevention Workshop we offer to help with your Employee Theft and Shoplifting problems.

There are many different kinds of loss prevention training. Some are focused on shoplifting identification and shoplifting prevention. Other loss prevention training is centered on employee theft. Still others revolve around general store safety and operational best practices. Each focus can be the cause of major financial strain on small retailers.

When you understand what your store specific concerns are, it is easier to find a loss prevention workshop that will fit your needs. Why would you and your employees want to waste your time in loss prevention seminars that are too generalized or do not focus enough on your particular problems or worries?

The smart decision is to work with the training facilitators to make sure they understand exactly what your expectations are. There is no point in spending your time and your hard earned money on loss prevention training that will not produce a return on your investment later on.

One of the most commonly sought after loss prevention seminars are ones that focus on shoplifting. Regardless of your location, client base and product assortment, shoplifting can happen to you. Because of the frequency, these seminars are best suited for a wide array of retailers. Most shoplifters exhibit the same basic strategies and methods. The prevention tactics therefore are equally as universal as the crimes they are deterring and eliminating.

For more information on Loss Prevention Seminars, Loss Prevention Training, or Loss Prevention Workshop contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

Visit the Loss Prevention Systems for more information on Retail Employee Theft and Retail Shoplifting problems and view the Retail Loss Prevention Seminars, Retail Loss Prevention Training and Retail Loss Prevention Workshop we offer to help with your Employee Theft and Shoplifting problems.

Beyond an EAS System- Loss Prevention Workshop

If you have a shoplifting problem in your store the obvious solution is to run out and invest in an EAS system, or similar retail theft prevention. EAS systems are a significant financial investment, one that will pay off over time, but may cause an immediate strain on some small business finances.
EAS systems are also not an immediate fix. You have to decide which system you want, have it installed and then EAS tag or label your inventory. Again, an extremely effective and worthwhile investment, but what do you do in the mean time?
Look into taking a loss prevention workshop for additional loss prevention training.
Sometimes the best solution is the most obvious solution. A loss prevention workshop can give you tips and tricks to mitigate some of your losses (for free) while you coordinate your efforts to install an EAS system.
One of the tips to stop shoplifting is to look at remerchandising some of the more desirable products within your store. Do you have small, high theft items on a shelf location in the middle of your store? Why not move them closer to the POS system? These items will have a better chance of being continually monitored, and anyone who picks one up can easily and immediately pay for it.
For more information on Loss Prevention Seminars, Loss Prevention Training, or Loss Prevention Workshop contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia
Visit the Loss Prevention Systems website for more information on Retail Employee Theft and Retail Shoplifting problems and view the Retail Loss Prevention Seminars, Retail Loss Prevention Training and Retail Loss Prevention Workshop we offer to help with your Employee Theft and Shoplifting problems.

If you have a shoplifting problem in your store the obvious solution is to run out and invest in an EAS system, or similar retail theft prevention. EAS systems are a significant financial investment, one that will pay off over time, but may cause an immediate strain on some small business finances.

EAS systems are also not an immediate fix. You have to decide which system you want, have it installed and then EAS tag or label your inventory. Again, an extremely effective and worthwhile investment, but what do you do in the mean time?

Look into taking a loss prevention workshop for additional loss prevention training.

Sometimes the best solution is the most obvious solution. A loss prevention workshop can give you tips and tricks to mitigate some of your losses (for free) while you coordinate your efforts to install an EAS system.

One of the tips to stop shoplifting is to look at remerchandising some of the more desirable products within your store. Do you have small, high theft items on a shelf location in the middle of your store? Why not move them closer to the POS system? These items will have a better chance of being continually monitored, and anyone who picks one up can easily and immediately pay for it.

For more information on Loss Prevention Seminars, Loss Prevention Training, or Loss Prevention Workshop contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

Visit the Loss Prevention Systems for more information on Retail Employee Theft and Retail Shoplifting problems and view the Retail Loss Prevention Seminars, Retail Loss Prevention Training and Retail Loss Prevention Workshop we offer to help with your Employee Theft and Shoplifting problems.

The Five Steps- Shoplifting

In the retail environment, there are five steps associates with stopping shoplifting in progress. While they may not correlate directly to a legal apprehension made by local law enforcement, these five steps are designed to keep a retail establishment in the clear from wrongful detainments.
If you are going to allow employees, whether it might be a manager, or a dedicated loss prevention employee (if you are so lucky to afford one), to make an apprehension, you need ensure these steps are followed to a T.
Loss prevention training is extremely important as the elimination of even one step can create a huge lawsuit and liability for your business.
The steps are as follows: First, you need to see the subject enter the store. The point is to see what they have, what they are wearing or carrying, so you can conversely know what merchandise they are stealing from you.
Next you need to see them enter the area where the merchandise is sold. You absolutely need to see them select (pick up) the merchandise in question. Again, this ensures you can verify the merchandise is absolutely your property and not theirs.
At this point you need to see them conceal the product or otherwise demonstrate that they are intending to steal.
Maintain constant observation of the merchandise. If you loose contact, can you be sure they did not discard the merchandise somewhere along the way? Some shoplifting suspects do get spooked and drop the product.
Finally they need to exit the store and pass the last point of sales. Loss prevention seminars are out there that can further expound on these steps, and explain the subtle nuances that can arise during an actual shoplifting stop.
For more information on Loss Prevention Seminars, Loss Prevention Training, or Loss Prevention Workshop contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia
Visit the Loss Prevention Systems website for more information on Retail Employee Theft and Retail Shoplifting problems and view the Retail Loss Prevention Seminars, Retail Loss Prevention Training and Retail Loss Prevention Workshop we offer to help with your Employee Theft and Shoplifting problems.

In the retail environment, there are five steps associated with stopping shoplifting in progress. While they may not correlate directly to a legal apprehension made by local law enforcement, these five steps are designed to keep a retail establishment in the clear from wrongful detainments.

If you are going to allow employees, whether it might be a manager, or a dedicated loss prevention employee (if you are so lucky to afford one), to make an apprehension, you need ensure these steps are followed to a T.

Loss prevention training is extremely important as the elimination of even one step can create a huge lawsuit and liability for your business.

The steps are as follows: First, you need to see the subject enter the store. The point is to see what they have, what they are wearing or carrying, so you can conversely know what merchandise they are stealing from you.

Next you need to see them enter the area where the merchandise is sold. You absolutely need to see them select (pick up) the merchandise in question. Again, this ensures you can verify the merchandise is absolutely your property and not theirs.

At this point you need to see them conceal the product or otherwise demonstrate that they are intending to steal.

Maintain constant observation of the merchandise. If you loose contact, can you be sure they did not discard the merchandise somewhere along the way? Some shoplifting suspects do get spooked and drop the product.

Finally they need to exit the store and pass the last point of sales. Loss prevention seminars are out there that can further expound on these steps, and explain the subtle nuances that can arise during an actual shoplifting stop.

For more information on Loss Prevention Seminars, Loss Prevention Training, or Loss Prevention Workshop contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

Visit the Loss Prevention Systems website for more information on Retail Employee Theft and Retail Shoplifting problems and view the Retail Loss Prevention Seminars, Retail Loss Prevention Training and Retail Loss Prevention Workshop we offer to help with your Employee Theft and Shoplifting problems.

Deviate From The Policy- Employee Theft

If you suspect that employee theft will happen, or is about to happen, you need to be more prepared than having a sign that says, “shoplifting will be prosecuted”. You have to train your employees that you are aware of different methods, and tactics used in employee theft. You have to be able to train the other employees to be eyes and ears when you are not there.
Loss prevention seminars help you have the information to guide your employees toward making better decisions. Employees who see the heightened awareness level in a store are less likely to steal. They are less likely to spend their energy coming up with ways to work around your systems.
The stores that have a blanket statement, but no training or awareness, are more likely to have theft issues. Without a clear understanding of how deep the awareness and prevention goes in a store, the more likely employees are to abuse the system.
When an employee is unaware of all of the different levels of security and protection you have in place, they think it is easy to get away with employee theft. Using loss prevention seminars shows the employees that policies and procedures are already in place to combat the theft. If they start to deviate from those policies, a red flag will go up and they will be caught.
For more information on Loss Prevention Seminars, Loss Prevention Training, or Loss Prevention Workshop contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia
Visit the Loss Prevention Systems website for more information on Retail Employee Theft and Retail Shoplifting problems and view the Retail Loss Prevention Seminars, Retail Loss Prevention Training and Retail Loss Prevention Workshop we offer to help with your Employee Theft and Shoplifting problems.

If you suspect that employee theft will happen, or is about to happen, you need to be more prepared than having a sign that says, “shoplifting will be prosecuted”. You have to train your employees that you are aware of different methods, and tactics used in employee theft. You have to be able to train the other employees to be eyes and ears when you are not there.

Loss prevention seminars help you have the information to guide your employees toward making better decisions. Employees who see the heightened awareness level in a store are less likely to steal. They are less likely to spend their energy coming up with ways to work around your systems.

The stores that have a blanket statement, but no training or awareness, are more likely to have theft issues. Without a clear understanding of how deep the awareness and prevention goes in a store, the more likely employees are to abuse the system.

When an employee is unaware of all of the different levels of security and protection you have in place, they think it is easy to get away with employee theft. Using loss prevention seminars shows the employees that policies and procedures are already in place to combat the theft. If they start to deviate from those policies, a red flag will go up and they will be caught.

For more information on Loss Prevention Seminars, Loss Prevention Training, or Loss Prevention Workshop contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

Visit the Loss Prevention Systems website for more information on Retail Employee Theft and Retail Shoplifting problems and view the Retail Loss Prevention Seminars, Retail Loss Prevention Training and Retail Loss Prevention Workshop we offer to help with your Employee Theft and Shoplifting problems.

 

Employee Fraud – Trust, But Verify

theft (10) During the Cold War arms control treaty negotiations with Mikhail Gorbachev President Ronald Regan became famous for a saying based on an old Russian proverb, “Trust, but verify”. He used the adage to describe the need for transparency in political relationships. But, today it has a broader meaning and can be used as a guideline for establishing trust between an employer and employee.

Many business owners, executives and managers don’t like to face the fact that some of their employees have, are or will be committing fraud – that product, materials and/or money has, is and will be walking out the door. For a variety of reasons they choose denial as their policy for employee theft and don’t address it. Unfortunately, employees take advantage of this and their employer’s trust.

One of the main reasons employee theft can be difficult for owners and managers is that they feel it’s a personal affront. They feel betrayed and believe it’s a personal issue, not a business or legal issue. It’s important for them to understand that it’s an operational and legal issue, not a personal attack.

The “Trust, but verify” concept can be used to develop a strategy. Managers can trust their employees, as a whole, while establishing transparency and accountability in daily business operations. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners 2012 Report to the Nations on Occupational Fraud and Abuse (ACFE 2012 Report) makes several recommendations on how to minimize fraud.

* Anti-fraud training – Organizations who have training programs for employees, managers and executives have less costly losses and shorter durations of fraud.

* Means to report – Providing people with ways to report suspicious activity is a critical part of prevention. Fraud is almost 3 times more likely to be detected through employee tips than any other method of detection.

* Controls – Companies should establish, monitor and maintain 3 areas of controls – general internal, physical and computer/technology based.

* Screening new employees – This is an area where employers can be lazy. Many times hiring is done by the “I like him, he’s hired.” method. This is an important area to do the due diligence.

* Division of responsibilities and oversight – Don’t give too much responsibility to one person and establish checks and balances in everyone’s job. Fraud is committed by a person who the employer trusts, that’s how they’re able to get away with it. In small      businesses it’s most commonly perpetrated by a family member or friend.

* Pay attention – 81% of fraud perpetrators display obvious red flags: living beyond their means, financial difficulties, unusually close ties with vendors or customers and unnecessary controlling/secret behavior (ACFE 2012 Report).

Employees will steal from their employers, it’s not a matter of “if or maybe”, it’s a matter of “when and how”. A responsible company manager will accept their personal and fiduciary responsibility to protect the company, its profits and the honest employees by establishing and following firm guidelines which don’t enable fraud.

Nicole Abbott – writer, educator and psycho-therapist


 

Loss Prevention Certification- Loss Prevention Training

Currently there is a big push for Loss Prevention Employees to be certified through the Loss Prevention Foundation. They have two levels of certification- one for those beginning their careers and another for those who have been around longer. The point is to standardize loss prevention training throughout the industry.
This formalized loss prevention training and certification is expensive, too expensive for most small businesses to certify more than one or two mangers within the organization. That doesn’t mean that it is not beneficial to have this kind of information available for all of your employees.
By attending a more affordable loss prevention workshop, you can get your entire team involved and educated. Benefits to this kind of training include better job performance by providing awareness of methods and kinds of losses that retailer’s incur. They can improve competencies needed to resolve shrink losses and implications. They can also improve the perception of your company or business within the community.
When businesses take a stand against shoplifting losses within their walls, the community takes notice. It is not just the shoplifting that begins to go elsewhere, it is also the customers who have a better perception of your attentive employees. Instead of going somewhere else, they come to you. They begin to share a positive message of your stores, thus growing your business as more customers come to you for their shopping needs.
For more information on Loss Prevention Seminars, Loss Prevention Training, or Loss Prevention Workshop contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia
Visit the Loss Prevention Systems website for more information on Retail Employee Theft and Retail Shoplifting problems and view the Retail Loss Prevention Seminars, Retail Loss Prevention Training and Retail Loss Prevention Workshop we offer to help with your Employee Theft and Shoplifting problems.

Currently there is a big push for Loss Prevention Employees to be certified through the Loss Prevention Foundation. They have two levels of certification- one for those beginning their careers and another for those who have been around longer. The point is to standardize loss prevention training throughout the industry.

This formalized loss prevention training and certification is expensive, too expensive for most small businesses to certify more than one or two mangers within the organization. That doesn’t mean that it is not beneficial to have this kind of information available for all of your employees.

By attending a more affordable loss prevention workshop, you can get your entire team involved and educated. Benefits to this kind of training include better job performance by providing awareness of methods and kinds of losses that retailer’s incur. They can improve competencies needed to resolve shrink losses and implications. They can also improve the perception of your company or business within the community.

When businesses take a stand against shoplifting losses within their walls, the community takes notice. It is not just the shoplifting that begins to go elsewhere, it is also the customers who have a better perception of your attentive employees. Instead of going somewhere else, they come to you. They begin to share a positive message of your stores, thus growing your business as more customers come to you for their shopping needs.

For more information on Loss Prevention Seminars, Loss Prevention Training, or Loss Prevention Workshop contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

Visit the Loss Prevention Systems website for more information on Retail Employee Theft and Retail Shoplifting problems and view the Retail Loss Prevention Seminars, Retail Loss Prevention Training and Retail Loss Prevention Workshop we offer to help with your Employee Theft and Shoplifting problems.

How To Approach a Shoplifter- Loss Prevention Training

If you have a customer suspected of shoplifting in your store, what do you do? For some the answer is simple- you walk up to them accuse them of shoplifting and demand to search their bags to find the stolen items.
For others, the answer is to not confront them and to call the police to have them arrested. As for the rest of your employees, the best approach is one of denial- “He was a shoplifter? Really? I didn’t notice.”
While all of these approaches make sense depending on the type of person you or your employees are, none of them are the best way to go.
If you accuse a shoplifter directly, you open yourself up to a variety of scenarios. The first is an open/ aggressive confrontation can escalate into a potentially dangerous situation. The shoplifter might be armed, or prepared to fight his way out. If you do not have any proof, you might open yourself and your business up to a wrongful detainment/ accusation lawsuit. It can cost tens of thousands of dollars and potentially negative press. Same thing goes for calling the police without actual proof.
A passive/ non-existent approach can lead to shoplifters coming back because they do not fear getting caught. The best way is to learn the five steps retailers’ use and how to legally approach a shoplifter. Loss prevention seminars can walk you through the steps and answer most of the legal questions you might have.
For more information on Loss Prevention Seminars, Loss Prevention Training, or Loss Prevention Workshop contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia
Visit the Loss Prevention Systems website for more information on Retail Employee Theft and Retail Shoplifting problems and view the Retail Loss Prevention Seminars, Retail Loss Prevention Training and Retail Loss Prevention Workshop we offer to help with your Employee Theft and Shoplifting problems.

If you have a customer suspected of shoplifting in your store, what do you do? For some the answer is simple- you walk up to them accuse them of shoplifting and demand to search their bags to find the stolen items.

For others, the answer is to not confront them and to call the police to have them arrested. As for the rest of your employees, the best approach is one of denial- “He was a shoplifter? Really? I didn’t notice.”

While all of these approaches make sense depending on the type of person you or your employees are, none of them are the best way to go.

If you accuse a shoplifter directly, you open yourself up to a variety of scenarios. The first is an open/ aggressive confrontation can escalate into a potentially dangerous situation. The shoplifter might be armed, or prepared to fight his way out. If you do not have any proof, you might open yourself and your business up to a wrongful detainment/ accusation lawsuit. It can cost tens of thousands of dollars and potentially negative press. Same thing goes for calling the police without actual proof.

A passive/ non-existent approach can lead to shoplifters coming back because they do not fear getting caught. The best way is to learn the five steps retailers’ use and how to legally approach a shoplifter. Loss prevention seminars can walk you through the steps and answer most of the legal questions you might have.

For more information on Loss Prevention Seminars, Loss Prevention Training, or Loss Prevention Workshop contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

Visit the Loss Prevention Systems website for more information on Retail Employee Theft and Retail Shoplifting problems and view the Retail Loss Prevention Seminars, Retail Loss Prevention Training and Retail Loss Prevention Workshop we offer to help with your Employee Theft and Shoplifting problems.

Beyond An Apprehension- Loss Prevention Workshop

Going to a loss prevention workshop isn’t only about learning how to apprehend a shoplifter. It is about finding ways to identify your store’s vulnerable areas and finding plausible, financially sound, and effective solutions for them. Some store’s do not want to make apprehensions, but do not realize there are other ways to prevent shoplifting.
The reality is most shoplifting is preventable. Some of them might be easy fixes, and some of them might require a more complex system to keep the shrink losses at bay. 
The more training and education you have, the better your chances of reducing your overall shrink losses. The key is in knowing what your specific store vulnerabilities are and how they happen. 
Maybe you have inattentive employees on the weekends. Perhaps your high theft merchandise would benefit from being placed at the front of the store where employees can watch it better. 
Can you use EAS and other retail anti theft devices to keep your desirable products on the sales floor for customers, but deterring theft at the same time?
Does your shoplifting happen at a certain time of day or week? What are your biggest loss items? Have you found evidence that the shoplifting seems to happen in the same location of the store (fitting room, back corner)?
By identifying the key areas, the information from a loss prevention workshop can be applied to how to deter shoplifting, saving you and your employees from actually having to apprehend a shoplifter. By deterring the theft ahead of time, you reduce your inventory losses without putting your employees at risk.
For more information on Loss Prevention Seminars, Loss Prevention Training, or Loss Prevention Workshop contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

Going to a loss prevention workshop isn’t only about learning how to apprehend a shoplifter. It is about finding ways to identify your store’s vulnerable areas and finding plausible, financially sound, and effective solutions for them. Some store’s do not want to make apprehensions, but do not realize there are other ways to prevent shoplifting.

The reality is most shoplifting is preventable. Some of them might be easy fixes, and some of them might require a more complex system to keep the shrink losses at bay.

The more training and education you have, the better your chances of reducing your overall shrink losses. The key is in knowing what your specific store vulnerabilities are and how they happen.

Maybe you have inattentive employees on the weekends. Perhaps your high theft merchandise would benefit from being placed at the front of the store where employees can watch it better. 

Can you use EAS and other retail anti theft devices to keep your desirable products on the sales floor for customers, but deterring theft at the same time?

Does your shoplifting happen at a certain time of day or week? What are your biggest loss items? Have you found evidence that the shoplifting seems to happen in the same location of the store (fitting room, back corner)?

By identifying the key areas, the information from a loss prevention workshop can be applied to how to deter shoplifting, saving you and your employees from actually having to apprehend a shoplifter. By deterring the theft ahead of time, you reduce your inventory losses without putting your employees at risk.

For more information on Loss Prevention Seminars, Loss Prevention Training, or Loss Prevention Workshop contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

 

Employees and Business Longevity- Loss Prevention Training

For the companies being sold to investment firms, many will not be around in five to ten years. They will be sold, or may go under completely after all of the assets have been striped of any redeeming value. As far as an investment firm is concerned, the longevity of the company is not important, the short-term profits are.
To fulfill these profit goals, the investment firms will make massive staffing and payroll reductions. They reduce the employee hours to about as minimum as what they can get away with. Employee benefits are next to go. What you are left with are employees who are viewed as disposable assets, instead of valuable ones. Needless to say, employee training and development whether it is in the form of computer based learning, seminars, workshops, or one on one development is non existent.
Depending upon which side of the coin you are on, this is either a completely brilliant or completely inane business strategy. The deciding factor falls within what you want the longevity of your business to be.
For companies who are looking for longevity, treating employees as assets to be nurtured and developed is essential.
The more training employees have, they more they will feel in control, and valued. They are more willing to go the extra mile for the business, and want to further their own growth and development as an employee. This makes your business profitable for the long haul.
For more information on Loss Prevention Seminars, Loss Prevention Training, or Loss Prevention Workshop contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia
Visit the Loss Prevention Systems website for more information on Retail Employee Theft and Retail Shoplifting problems and view the Retail Loss Prevention Seminars, Retail Loss Prevention Training and Retail Loss Prevention Workshop we offer to help with your Employee Theft and Shoplifting problems.

For the companies being sold to investment firms, many will not be around in five to ten years. They will be sold, or may go under completely after all of the assets have been striped of any redeeming value. As far as an investment firm is concerned, the longevity of the company is not important, the short-term profits are.

To fulfill these profit goals, the investment firms will make massive staffing and payroll reductions. They reduce the employee hours to about as minimum as what they can get away with. Employee benefits are next to go. What you are left with are employees who are viewed as disposable assets, instead of valuable ones. Needless to say, employee training and development whether it is in the form of computer based learning, seminars, workshops, or one on one development is non existent.

Depending upon which side of the coin you are on, this is either a completely brilliant or completely inane business strategy. The deciding factor falls within what you want the longevity of your business to be.
For companies who are looking for longevity, treating employees as assets to be nurtured and developed is essential.

The more training employees have, they more they will feel in control, and valued. They are more willing to go the extra mile for the business, and want to further their own growth and development as an employee. This makes your business profitable for the long haul.

For more information on Loss Prevention Seminars, Loss Prevention Training, or Loss Prevention Workshop contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 – Atlanta Georgia

Visit the Loss Prevention Systems website for more information on Retail Employee Theft and Retail Shoplifting problems and view the Retail Loss Prevention Seminars, Retail Loss Prevention Training and Retail Loss Prevention Workshop we offer to help with your Employee Theft and Shoplifting problems.

Omni Channel Retailing

theft (11)Omni Channel Retailing is the current long-term direction that retailers are going forth with. It basically is the process of integrating all aspects of a retailer into one accessible unit for customers to shop. This is the current way to combine a brick and mortar location with online sales, social media, distribution, and mobile phone apps. By cohesively allowing customers to shop any location, by any means available, sales are maximized exponentially.

Simply put, a customer can purchase merchandise online, or from their phone by searching your company website. The products available come from your distribution channels, and in stock inventory within any of your stores. A customer has the ability to see what your on hand inventory is, make the appropriate purchase, and then decide how they will get the product. The options are usually pick up in store, deliver to home, or deliver (from the distribution center) to a store of their choice.

Omni Channel Retailing is a viable option, not just for the larger companies with hundreds of selling locations. It is actually a great way for smaller businesses to compete with these big box stores as customers have better access to a wider range of your merchandise, when and where the customer needs it.

Having worked with larger companies just beginning these selling processes, I was able to experience their growing pains first hand. The hardest obstacle to overcome was ensuring the proper on hand inventory, so when a customer placed the order we could quickly fulfill it.

I saw too many unhappy customers place an in store pick up order, show up thirty minutes later, only to find out we didn’t actually have their product in stock. Not only were they put out by the inconvenience of needlessly driving to the store, but also they still had to figure out how to get the merchandise they wanted to buy.

As we progressed with the process, we started taking a better approach to our on hand accuracies. As a result, our sales increased, as did our customer satisfaction. Through Omni Channel Retailing, we were able to reach a whole new customer base and increase our sales in ways we never dreamed we could.