Sensormatic Systems Remove Opportunity For Theft Part 1

I was reading an interesting article about how the removal of opportunity can decrease theft and I was in agreement with the writer but I wanted him to include how Sensormatic systems could be helpful also. The article, “Reduce Employee Theft by Removing Opportunity”, by Garett Seivold, in Loss Prevention Magazine, Oct 4, 2018, was spot on with the suggestions he made. He discusses the options of analytical tools that are available to retailers but points out “…a hefty price tag is frequently attached.” Mr. Seivold also touches on the fact that the labor market is getting “tighter” and this makes it more difficult for employers to be selective in hiring. The article then focuses on one aspect of opportunity that employers can improve on to reduce employee theft, providing employees with a secure locker system for storing personal belongings. The locker system he references has clear doors which allow managers to see what is in a locker but still gives the employee individual security. I like this approach to internal theft but I am going to add my two-cents to the conversation. Let me be clear, Mr. Seivold does not seem to be arguing against retail ant-theft devices and electronic article surveillance so I don’t want to leave that impression. I am only going to add that owners can prevent employee theft AND stop shoplifting by including Sensormatic systems in a store.

I agree that analytical tools can be expensive and to be honest, if a store manager is not careful in working with data it can become very time consuming. My take on Loss Prevention comes from nearly 17 years of retail L.P. experience. I have also been a Freight Flow Manager and I have seen the way data overload can become overwhelming and basic operational management (whether it is store or L.P. operations) become secondary. The impact can be counterproductive though the idea behind all of the reporting tools was supposed to improve efficiency.  One of the ways to address the problem of theft is to focus on prevention tactics. Absolutely removing opportunity is an important part of a sound strategy. Another component that should not be overlooked is electronic article surveillance as an affordable and proven means of deterring employee theft and to stop shoplifting at the same time. A quality security pedestal at the entrance and exits of stores and a program of thoroughly tagging all merchandise in a store goes a long way in shortage reduction. By using a combination of Sensormatic labels and hard tags (depending on the merchandise being protected) crooks will find it difficult to steal without a significant risk of being caught. That risk is the deterrent that impacts shoplifters and dishonest employees, no one WANTS to be caught and be sent to jail.

I said that Sensormatic systems are an affordable option for business owners. They are affordable and I am not talking about second-hand or refurbished equipment. If you take the time to go to Loss Prevention Systems, Inc.’s website you can find a free ROI Calculator that can calculate for you not only how much you can reduce your shrinkage you can see how short a time frame a new system would pay for itself in shrinkage reduction. There are additional upgrades that can enhance the way you display and sell merchandise but a basic system with electronic article surveillance tags is very affordable. 

Opportunity is a requirement for criminals to be able to steal from stores, Mr. Seivold is correct. The ability to identify those opportunities and knowing how to eliminate them is another matter altogether.  In Part 2 we will explore some additional ways to reduce and eliminate opportunity for your workers to steal from you and we will also stop shoplifting along the way.

For more information on Sensormatic systems contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today