One of the biggest issues facing
retailers and business owners in today's society is the prevalence of
shoplifting and theft. It is estimated that retailers lose
up to $25 million worth of merchandise per day for a total loss of more
than $10 billion dollars per year! Most shoplifters are not
professional criminals - they are children and / or adults who act on
impulse. Few are caught and even fewer are prosecuted.
This group accounts for approximately 90% of all retail theft.
Professional shoplifters, on the other hand, account for only 10% of
losses. Unlike their counterparts, professional thieves do plan to
steal and will go to virtually any extreme to get what they want.
This group of thieves are responsible for the "smash and grab" thefts
and "shoplifting gangs" we hear more and more about.
There is virtually no way to eliminate
theft completely but there are deterrents to theft which can be utilized
in a retail environment. Surveillance cameras (real or
dummy), Anti-theft signage or messages and Electronic Article
Surveillance (EAS) equipment are just a few of the items that will help
reduce the incidence of theft in your store.
Retail Loss
Prevention
