The Finger Of Suspicion- Checkpoint Security System

Vendor and supplier fraud is one form of losses that retailer’s can easily overlook. The more obvious answer to inventory losses usually comes from employee or shoplifter theft. Since vendors and suppliers are generally in and out of a store quickly, and when they are in the store they usually have their hands full and are busy unloading product, it is easier to point the finger of suspicion elsewhere.

The truth of the matter is that these vendors and suppliers should not be underestimated (or unattended) as they work in your store. Beyond the varying forms of fraud committed by vendors, these outside workers can be just as guilty of committing shoplifting crimes.

How often do these vendors unload a shipment and then ask to use a restroom? Are they escorted to the facilities, or are they left on their own as your employees focus on their own tasks and work lists? Do the vendors walk past or through areas of store merchandise and supplies? How about food products? 

One of my stores recently started noticing empty food and beverage wrappers and containers back in the bathrooms. At first we thought it was employees stealing the products. As it turned out, one of our suppliers would unload their delivery, and ask to use the restroom. They would pick up candy bars, snacks and a soda on their way back. They would eat and drink their snack in the restroom, leave the packaging, and then walk back out of the store without paying for anything.

The main reason we caught on was that the supplier started to make more frequent visits to the store, even when he didn’t have any deliveries to make. He would claim it was just customer service, checking on us because we were such and important contract of theirs. The reality was he was hungry, needed a snack, and saw us as a (literal) free lunch.

While the majority of us would not find it effective to use Checkpoint security tags as anti shoplifting devices on a candy bar, using a Checkpoint system not only in the front of house, but also the back stockrooms and exits is a good idea. There are many vendors that will pick up store merchandise that they want and take it with them as they leave out the back receiving and dock exits. These areas are often less well protected from theft because of the lack of foot traffic that goes by them. Most employees go in and out the front doors, as do all of the customers. Usually it is only vendors and suppliers that enter and exit through the back areas.

For those vendors that are inclined to steal, the lack of Checkpoint systems and other anti shoplifting deterrents make it all to easy for them to conduct frequent thefts of store merchandise. With little employee oversight, lack of anti theft monitoring, and access to store merchandise, vendors and suppliers have an easier time stealing from a store than either employees or shoplifters do.

Visit the Loss Prevention Store to purchase Anti-Shoplifting devices and your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system from Checkpoint Systems to stop shoplifting in your store.

For more information on Anti-Shoplifting, Checkpoint Labels, a Checkpoint Security System, Checkpoint Security Tags, Checkpoint Systems, or Checkpoint Tags and how they can work with your Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS system contact us at Retail theft prevention to Stop Shoplifting in your store or call 1.770.426.0547