Retail Traffic Counting – 3 WC Blog 742
Customer Counting Systems -3
Using Customer Counting Systems To Improve Customer Service – Part 1
Writing about the importance of retail traffic counting to improve sales and also writing about how it can help reduce shortage seem to be incongruent at first glance. How does keeping track of the number of people entering your store have anything to do with efforts to prevent shoplifting or any other criminal activity, i.e. purse snatching, property theft, sexual misconduct and so on? The questions came to my mind as I was preparing to write an article on recent customer service experiences I encountered in recent visits to two different fast food chains. One visit was exceptional and one was the polar opposite. Then I had to consider that I was not only going to explain the tie in between customer counting systems, customer service and the impact on theft deterrence I was also going to toss in the fast food business to retail store owners and operators. I started to question my own sanity. As I considered the mess I was trying to create it dawned on me, it all DOES relate and it makes the fact that I am comparing restaurants to stores makes no difference. Both are service industries and who is being served? Customers are being served, that is who.
The two experiences that led me to this topic started when I had gone to a famous burger restaurant. Someone may be arching their brow in curiosity about which chain I am talking about but I am going to refrain. I like the food and this is not my experience at all of their restaurants. This day was busy and the parking lot was full and the line of cars for the drive though was lengthy. I chose to go inside rather than sit idling for too long. I was able to order in just a few minutes but as I stood waiting I watched the activity behind the counter and the customers waiting with me. Cashiers were chatting with customers who had already placed orders while the people trying to bag orders and get the food were harried and looked anxious. The manager was yelling at cooks and employees asking where orders were and trying to give directions but she seemed to be barely in control, bagging orders herself and barking at staff. On top of this some customers who, like me, were waiting for their food were frazzled. Some customers who ordered after us received their food before us. When I did get to the car with my food I checked the bag before driving off and found I had been shorted a burger. This was a very unpleasant customer service experience. It was clear to me that no planning went into staffing for the day and perhaps retail traffic counting COULD have been a useful tool for this business. I also saw that management as being a part of the problem not managing but rather reacting to situations and not in control.
Now this was the poor example of customer service and I don’t like to dwell on negatives. I would prefer to help a business correct a problem and improve the customer service. As customer service improves sales grow. Bill Bregar, the founder of Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. would agree with me on this point. His background is in investigations and retail Loss Prevention but he knows the value of a great customer service culture. Bill recognizes how it serves to improve sales and will also reduce store theft and that is the reason he supports the use of customer counting systems to track foot traffic. Using that information retailers can plan and schedule much more effectively for future store activity. Sensormatic offers a retail traffic counting sensor that can be added to many existing Sensormatic electronic article surveillance towers. Those retailers that already use Sensormatic security systems will have the added benefit of tracking alarm activity which can aid in theft prevention plans and evaluating alarm response.
I love a good cliff hanger and so I am going to leave one of my own here. If you would like to read about the great customer service experience I had and what was so different about it from the first restaurant you will need to look for Part 2 to this series. This will be particularly important if you want to see how customer counting systems and customer service can be used in your business and grow your sales.
Get more information on retail traffic counting, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 now.
Writing about the importance of retail traffic counting to improve sales and also writing about how it can help reduce shortage seem to be incongruent at first glance. How does keeping track of the number of people entering your store have anything to do with efforts to prevent shoplifting or any other criminal activity, i.e. purse snatching, property theft, sexual misconduct and so on? The questions came to my mind as I was preparing to write an article on recent customer service experiences I encountered in recent visits to two different fast food chains. One visit was exceptional and one was the polar opposite. Then I had to consider that I was not only going to explain the tie in between customer counting systems, customer service and the impact on theft deterrence I was also going to toss in the fast food business to retail store owners and operators. I started to question my own sanity. As I considered the mess I was trying to create it dawned on me, it all DOES relate and it makes the fact that I am comparing restaurants to stores makes no difference. Both are service industries and who is being served? Customers are being served, that is who.
The two experiences that led me to this topic started when I had gone to a famous burger restaurant. Someone may be arching their brow in curiosity about which chain I am talking about but I am going to refrain. I like the food and this is not my experience at all of their restaurants. This day was busy and the parking lot was full and the line of cars for the drive though was lengthy. I chose to go inside rather than sit idling for too long. I was able to order in just a few minutes but as I stood waiting I watched the activity behind the counter and the customers waiting with me. Cashiers were chatting with customers who had already placed orders while the people trying to bag orders and get the food were harried and looked anxious. The manager was yelling at cooks and employees asking where orders were and trying to give directions but she seemed to be barely in control, bagging orders herself and barking at staff. On top of this some customers who, like me, were waiting for their food were frazzled. Some customers who ordered after us received their food before us. When I did get to the car with my food I checked the bag before driving off and found I had been shorted a burger. This was a very unpleasant customer service experience. It was clear to me that no planning went into staffing for the day and perhaps retail traffic counting COULD have been a useful tool for this business. I also saw that management as being a part of the problem not managing but rather reacting to situations and not in control.
Now this was the poor example of customer service and I don’t like to dwell on negatives. I would prefer to help a business correct a problem and improve the customer service. As customer service improves sales grow. Bill Bregar, the founder of Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. would agree with me on this point. His background is in investigations and retail Loss Prevention but he knows the value of a great customer service culture. Bill recognizes how it serves to improve sales and will also reduce store theft and that is the reason he supports the use of customer counting systems to track foot traffic. Using that information retailers can plan and schedule much more effectively for future store activity. Sensormatic offers a retail traffic counting sensor that can be added to many existing Sensormatic electronic article surveillance towers. Those retailers that already use Sensormatic security systems will have the added benefit of tracking alarm activity which can aid in theft prevention plans and evaluating alarm response.
I love a good cliff hanger and so I am going to leave one of my own here. If you would like to read about the great customer service experience I had and what was so different about it from the first restaurant you will need to look for Part 2 to this series. This will be particularly important if you want to see how customer counting systems and customer service can be used in your business and grow your sales.
Get more information on retail traffic counting, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 now.
WAB 09 Blog
We Can Guarantee To Stop All Shoplifting In Your Store-Sensormatic Systems
Yep, Loss Prevention Systems has a Sensormatic Systems solution to stop every bit of shoplifting in your store going forward. We will even put it in writing. The problem is that you will not have any customers because you will not be able to let anyone in. If that is a bit extreme for you, then you may want to try our other more popular plan to prevent shoplifting. It is a two part plan including LPSI helping you to train your staff and a Sensormatic system.
The reality is that the only way to shut down all shoplifting will cut into your profit margin. What we need to do is focus on the bulk of the shoplifting that is costing you the most money. If your goal is to prevent shoplifting completely then you will spend more in expenses than the losses are worth. However, we need to make sure we are on the same page in how we calculate losses. If a shoplifter steals $100 in merchandise is that what you have lost – $100?
Actually, no, you have lost much more than that. To replace that $100 at retail you need to figure in your costs. You had to purchase it, ship and receive it, handle and stock it, carry the cost in inventory, etc. On top of that you have rent, payroll, taxes, utilities and other expenses.
The easiest way to figure this is to take the retail price of the item and divide it by your profit margin. So let’s say for this explanation that your margin after all expenses is 2%. So the calculation is 100/.02=5000. Yes that is a five with three zeros. To break even, not make money but to break even you will need to sell an ADDITIONAL $5000 in merchandise.
Well, that’s not really a good business plan. So we have to fix this problem once and for all by doing what you do for any business problem you encounter, you attack it head on! Our goal has to be something more than “catching” shoplifters. You have already lost money at that point. You may have caught them but now you have to deal with them. It is kind of like when my dog chases a car. Exactly what is she going to do when she catches it???
There are only two economical ways to prevent shoplifting, not counting the whole never let anyone in your store thing. Training your staff and putting in an electronic article system such as a Sensormatic system. Okay let’s get something out of the way right now. YES, this is what Loss Prevention Systems does. We train our customers and we provide one of the best systems in the retail world, Sensormatic.
Our solutions that prevent shoplifting work. The reason I know that is that I have been in the loss prevention world for most of my life. I started in the trenches apprehending shoplifters all the way through Director of Loss Prevention at several major companies to the Board Room.
So let’s fix the shoplifting problem once and for all. Our training does not focus on chasing shoplifters in the parking lot. We want them to go away and take their theft elsewhere. Consider this, if you are doing a better job sending the shoplifter on their way and getting the reputation in the shoplifting community that you are not an easy mark then the shoplifters will go elsewhere. No one wishes trouble on anyone else. But, if your neighbors are doing a better job of shoplifting prevention than you then guess where they will go? Yeah, right to you!
Even with the best of training you still need a back-up. A Sensormatic system is protecting your merchandise 24/7. No vacations, sick days or my Grandfather has died for the ninth time. So when your staff is slammed and the customer to employee ratio is out of sync, the Sensormatic system is on guard. Kind of like a Doberman ready to start barking and baring its teeth.
The combination of the two, training and Sensormatic, are the problem solver. Oh, and by the way, both solutions are VERY AFFORDABLE for any size company from one store to, well you get the picture. So now you do not have any excuse. Contact us today or call 1-770-426-0547 for Sensormatic systems, retail theft prevention and stop shoplifting training.
Yep, Loss Prevention Systems has a Sensormatic Systems solution to stop every bit of shoplifting in your store going forward. We will even put it in writing. The problem is that you will not have any customers because you will not be able to let anyone in. If that is a bit extreme for you, then you may want to try our other more popular plan to prevent shoplifting. It is a two part plan including LPSI helping you to train your staff and a Sensormatic system.
The reality is that the only way to shut down all shoplifting will cut into your profit margin. What we need to do is focus on the bulk of the shoplifting that is costing you the most money. If your goal is to prevent shoplifting completely then you will spend more in expenses than the losses are worth. However, we need to make sure we are on the same page in how we calculate losses. If a shoplifter steals $100 in merchandise is that what you have lost – $100?
Actually, no, you have lost much more than that. To replace that $100 at retail you need to figure in your costs. You had to purchase it, ship and receive it, handle and stock it, carry the cost in inventory, etc. On top of that you have rent, payroll, taxes, utilities and other expenses.
The easiest way to figure this is to take the retail price of the item and divide it by your profit margin. So let’s say for this explanation that your margin after all expenses is 2%. So the calculation is 100/.02=5000. Yes that is a five with three zeros. To break even, not make money but to break even you will need to sell an ADDITIONAL $5000 in merchandise.
Well, that’s not really a good business plan. So we have to fix this problem once and for all by doing what you do for any business problem you encounter, you attack it head on! Our goal has to be something more than “catching” shoplifters. You have already lost money at that point. You may have caught them but now you have to deal with them. It is kind of like when my dog chases a car. Exactly what is she going to do when she catches it???
There are only two economical ways to prevent shoplifting, not counting the whole never let anyone in your store thing. Training your staff and putting in an electronic article system such as a Sensormatic system. Okay let’s get something out of the way right now. YES, this is what Loss Prevention Systems does. We train our customers and we provide one of the best systems in the retail world, Sensormatic.
Our solutions that prevent shoplifting work. The reason I know that is that I have been in the loss prevention world for most of my life. I started in the trenches apprehending shoplifters all the way through Director of Loss Prevention at several major companies to the Board Room.
So let’s fix the shoplifting problem once and for all. Our training does not focus on chasing shoplifters in the parking lot. We want them to go away and take their theft elsewhere. Consider this, if you are doing a better job sending the shoplifter on their way and getting the reputation in the shoplifting community that you are not an easy mark then the shoplifters will go elsewhere. No one wishes trouble on anyone else. But, if your neighbors are doing a better job of shoplifting prevention than you then guess where they will go? Yeah, right to you!
Even with the best of training you still need a back-up. A Sensormatic system is protecting your merchandise 24/7. No vacations, sick days or my Grandfather has died for the ninth time. So when your staff is slammed and the customer to employee ratio is out of sync, the Sensormatic system is on guard. Kind of like a Doberman ready to start barking and baring its teeth.
The combination of the two, training and Sensormatic, are the problem solver. Oh, and by the way, both solutions are VERY AFFORDABLE for any size company from one store to, well you get the picture. So now you do not have any excuse.
Contact us today or call 1-770-426-0547 for Sensormatic systems, retail theft prevention and stop shoplifting training.
I work in an office supply store and there are several different methods the store employs to prevent shoplifting. I am in the unique position that I can look at these strategies and make a professional judgement on their effectiveness. I have been involved in Retail Loss Prevention in one way or another for over 20 years. I have used the most effective retail anti-theft devices and the least effective tools for protecting merchandise. As a sales associate in my current role I can speak to the one strategy I really detest and that is keeping merchandise in a stockroom. It wasn’t long ago I had a customer who wanted to take a look at a couple of packages of pens. The store doesn’t keep these pens on the floor; instead there are placards with the picture of each type of pen on them. If the customer wants to look at the pen I have to go to the stockroom and get one out. I wanted to help this customer get what they came in for so I went to retrieve one so she could examine it. This was just to look at the pen, there was no guarantee she would purchase it (and ultimately she did not). On the way to the stockroom I had to stop and answer questions for two other customers. In one of those instances I had to ask the customer to wait until I was done helping my first customer then I would get back to her. What a terrible way to provide customer service. Yes, I called to see if anyone else could assist her but everyone was occupied with their own customer or they were busy in another department. If I had my choice I would protect the pens with Sensormatic Safers rather than the placard/stockroom lockup method.
There are two types of Safers available to prevent shoplifting. The first is the Flexible Safer and the second is the Adjustable Safer. Both types are equipped with electronic article surveillance technology. This means anyone attempting to carry a protected item out of the store is going to activate the Sensormatic pedestals and store associates can respond and recover the merchandise. The wonderful thing about Sensormatic Safers is that they are great for protecting small items or high dollar goods. For example Flexible Safers are a fantastic tool for protecting 4-packs of AAA lithium batteries or electric toothbrush heads. Adjustable Safers might be used to protect fragrances or skin care products (or pens). The use of these retail anti-theft devices allow merchants more options for stocking merchandise on the salesfloor and minimizing the use of stockrooms for holding merchandise. Protecting products and getting them in the hands of your customers alleviates the necessity of wasted manpower to retrieve products that may or may not be bought. It also makes the convenience of picking up an item and examining it an unstated selling point. As a shopper, I get frustrated when I can’t look at a locked up item because no one is nearby to readily unlock a display case or retrieve something from a stockroom. If it frustrates me, I know it frustrates others.
Sensormatic Safers were not available to me when I was a Loss prevention Manager. I wish they had been. I recall one of the hardest areas of the store to prevent shoplifting in was the health and beauty department. Within the specific department razor blades, perfumes and colognes were some of the specific items where we were constantly fighting shoplifting. We had some retail anti-theft devices we used but Safers would have been a better option if we had them available to us. We spent an exorbitant amount of time trying to brand these items to deter Organized Retail Crime groups and tagging them with electronic article surveillance tags. We were more successful than some of our peers but we still had theft problems that impacted our ability to keep product in-stock for paying customers. Of course, this hurt sales, on top of the financial impact of the theft itself.
Customer service is a powerful tool in retail. A negative experience for a customer may mean they don’t return for quite some time if at all. On the other hand a great experience leads to customer loyalty and a many return trips. Providing convenience to your customers contributes to an enhanced shopping trip and sales for your store. Sensormatic Safers can make the shopping experience easier and happier for your clients and that means more sales for you.
Get more information on Sensormatic Safers, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547 today.
Sensormatic Safers – 4 WC Blog 738
Retail Anti-Theft Devices – 4
Don’t Irritate Customers With Poor Merchandise Protection – Use Sensormatic Safers Part 2
Perhaps the title of this article should be, “Don’t irritate ME with Poor Merchandise Protection – Use Sensormatic Safers Part 2”. I started Part 1 of this series discussing several aspects of retail which have recently irritated ME as a customer in some stores. I will say though that I am very certain that what I get perturbed about also perturbs other customers and some of them even more so. In my list of grievances I mentioned several that had to do with the merchandise protection strategies or lack of strategies that need to be improved upon. While most of the issues took place when I was shopping in big box retail stores I know they will not heed my pleas to address the concerns. On the other hand owners of the smaller, independent stores may be open to the wisdom of someone with over 28 years of retail experience and 17 of those in Retail Loss Prevention.
I am frustrated at store management dependence on locking showcases and locking peghooks in lieu of other retail anti-theft devices on the market that are much better alternatives. Lock-up display cases sound like a cure all for theft. Lock it behind a glass door and it can’t be stolen right? Put it on a locking peghook and customers can still look at the item but shoplifters are thwarted in trying to steal the product. Let’s say I agree with you (which I can tell you from personal experience is not necessarily the case, no pun intended) and these are effective at stopping criminals I know of another method of protection that surpasses these methods. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. (LPSI), a company with over 30 years of experience in theft prevention and shortage improvement, suggests the Sensormatic Safers to their clients as a way to drive sales and prevent shoplifting. A product is placed in a Safer and locked inside of it. Since the protective device works with electronic article surveillance towers a customer or shoplifter who gets too close to Sensormatic pedestals at the front doors will trip the alarm. The merchandise is only removed at the point of sale by the cashier.
I prefer the use of these retail anti-theft devices over the traditional lock-up case or locking peghook and here is why. If I am a customer and I want to just look at something that is locked up I have to seek assistance. It may be through a call button or it could be I have to search for an employee who is able to assist me but regardless of the method I have to get help. I don’t even know that I am going to make a purchase I simply want to look at merchandise. I should also mention that if the employee I do find doesn’t have the keys to the case and has to get someone who does, I am either going to get more frustrated or I am going to walk out. From the store manager perspective I know you are on a tight payroll budget so you may not have anyone immediately assigned to open display cases. You are working hard to balance a schedule out to cover all of your hours and get tasks done. I am going to sidetrack just for a minute. LPSI can help you improve your scheduling effectiveness based on foot traffic and it will also improve your sales. Contact them about the benefits of a door counting sensor for your business. Back to what I was saying, the Safer allows customers to pick up and view items without the necessity of associates unlocking retail anti-theft devices. The customer can choose to carry the item through the store while shopping and the item is removed at the point of sale. The customer AND the store manager benefits from the use of Sensormatic Safers.
I will make one other observation about display cases and locking peghooks from my personal experiences. I have seen thieves break into display cases from the backside, cutting through pegboard. I have also seen them manipulate doors and I have seen them work in teams to confuse an employee and steal merchandise. I have observed merchandise removed from security peghooks when the hang tab was cut through. These are not perfect solutions in terms of retail anti-theft devices.
Sensormatic Safers give security and flexibility to retailers and freedom to the shopper. Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that merchandise protection does not have to be an impediment to driving sales. A Sensormatic security system allows retailers the ability to enjoy the best of both worlds and that makes customers happy and store owners happy.
Sensormatic Safers are important and we can help you with them. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Perhaps the title of this article should be, “Don’t irritate ME with Poor Merchandise Protection – Use Sensormatic Safers Part 2”. I started Part 1 of this series discussing several aspects of retail which have recently irritated ME as a customer in some stores. I will say though that I am very certain that what I get perturbed about also perturbs other customers and some of them even more so. In my list of grievances I mentioned several that had to do with the merchandise protection strategies or lack of strategies that need to be improved upon. While most of the issues took place when I was shopping in big box retail stores I know they will not heed my pleas to address the concerns. On the other hand owners of the smaller, independent stores may be open to the wisdom of someone with over 28 years of retail experience and 17 of those in Retail Loss Prevention.
I am frustrated at store management dependence on locking showcases and locking peghooks in lieu of other retail anti-theft devices on the market that are much better alternatives. Lock-up display cases sound like a cure all for theft. Lock it behind a glass door and it can’t be stolen right? Put it on a locking peghook and customers can still look at the item but shoplifters are thwarted in trying to steal the product. Let’s say I agree with you (which I can tell you from personal experience is not necessarily the case, no pun intended) and these are effective at stopping criminals I know of another method of protection that surpasses these methods. Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. (LPSI), a company with over 30 years of experience in theft prevention and shortage improvement, suggests the Sensormatic Safers to their clients as a way to drive sales and prevent shoplifting. A product is placed in a Safer and locked inside of it. Since the protective device works with electronic article surveillance towers a customer or shoplifter who gets too close to Sensormatic pedestals at the front doors will trip the alarm. The merchandise is only removed at the point of sale by the cashier.
I prefer the use of these retail anti-theft devices over the traditional lock-up case or locking peghook and here is why. If I am a customer and I want to just look at something that is locked up I have to seek assistance. It may be through a call button or it could be I have to search for an employee who is able to assist me but regardless of the method I have to get help. I don’t even know that I am going to make a purchase I simply want to look at merchandise. I should also mention that if the employee I do find doesn’t have the keys to the case and has to get someone who does, I am either going to get more frustrated or I am going to walk out. From the store manager perspective I know you are on a tight payroll budget so you may not have anyone immediately assigned to open display cases. You are working hard to balance a schedule out to cover all of your hours and get tasks done. I am going to sidetrack just for a minute. LPSI can help you improve your scheduling effectiveness based on foot traffic and it will also improve your sales. Contact them about the benefits of a door counting sensor for your business. Back to what I was saying, the Safer allows customers to pick up and view items without the necessity of associates unlocking retail anti-theft devices. The customer can choose to carry the item through the store while shopping and the item is removed at the point of sale. The customer AND the store manager benefits from the use of Sensormatic Safers.
I will make one other observation about display cases and locking peghooks from my personal experiences. I have seen thieves break into display cases from the backside, cutting through pegboard. I have also seen them manipulate doors and I have seen them work in teams to confuse an employee and steal merchandise. I have observed merchandise removed from security peghooks when the hang tab was cut through. These are not perfect solutions in terms of retail anti-theft devices.
Sensormatic Safers give security and flexibility to retailers and freedom to the shopper. Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that merchandise protection does not have to be an impediment to driving sales. A Sensormatic security system allows retailers the ability to enjoy the best of both worlds and that makes customers happy and store owners happy.
Sensormatic Safers are important and we can help you with them. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Training to reduce employee theft-3 WC Blog 644
stop shoplifting-3
Trying To Stop Shoplifting Can Be Crazy – How Do You Do It?
Three employees try to stop shoplifting by two or was it three shoplifters at once? Sounds crazy doesn’t it? Well, that was what happened the other night at the store I work at as a sales associate. It was getting to be a bit after 7:00pm and I was on a cash register, the manager on duty was helping me ring up sales and the third employee was busy assisting another customer. I noticed a customer walk in who seemed very fidgety and I greeted him from my register and asked if he would need help. He asked where printer ink was located and I gave him directions and kept an eye on the cctv monitor for that area. I pointed him out to my manager. We both noticed a second individual walk into another area with electronics merchandise in it. We worked to get our lines down so we could provide customer service to these two “customers”. The manager working with me recognizes my Loss Prevention Management background and respects my suspicions when something or someone does not feel right. I would ask owners of smaller, self-owned stores what do YOU do to prevent theft? Do you know how crooks operate and the methods they use to rip off stores? Do you understand the impact dishonest employees and shoplifters have on a business? Training to reduce employee theft and stop shoplifting can bring you up to speed and actually help improve the bottom line for your business.
You read correctly that I was formerly a Loss Prevention Manager and I have over 28 total years of retail experience. I have seen the different ways large stores try to train employees and managers on how to prevent theft but they are not all equal and in many cases it is done only in a poor video training format. The best training I have found incorporates a live training session(s) in addition to follow-up videos and training modules. I have conducted new hire orientations and spent time coaching cashiers on how to prevent fraudulent transactions. I know first-hand the impact it has on people when they can ask questions and interact with an instructor. That is why I strongly recommend the training to reduce employee theft offered from Loss Prevention Systems Inc. They offer several seminars that teach store owners and managers on theft related issues. They also incorporate webinars, blogs and newsletters into a comprehensive package all with informed information from people who have extensive Loss Prevention backgrounds. You may not be able to afford a Loss Prevention team for your business but you can afford to learn the way to combat theft from Loss Prevention Systems Inc.
To continue with our encounter, I stayed with the customer in the ink department as he pretended to try to contact someone on his phone to get him the information on his printer for the ink he needed. He bided his time to see if I would go away but I’m all about customer service and waited patiently. In the meantime a third suspicious person asked me for directions to the restrooms. The manager had observed this while he was finishing his transactions and said he had watched this guy watch me as I was helping the patron in the ink department (yup, it gets crazy to follow). The manager finished and went to help the second subject in the electronics area. The manager told me later that the subject began rambling about nonsense when the manager offered to assist him. He also told me he saw something in the suspect’s hands that he tried to hide then put down and it turned out to be a box containing $30 earbuds. The box had been torn open and the customer had already started to remove the contents so the manager did stop shoplifting in this case. My suspect finally left the store and hung around the entrance looking back in so I stayed near the front where he could see me. The second suspect, uh, I mean customer, came to the register and put down three sets of earbuds at a total cost of $60 and then said he forgot his wallet and would be right back. Oddly, he never returned and the third suspect left without us seeing him.
I am certain we stopped a significant amount of loss but I could not quantify a total amount. Had this been YOUR store would you and your managers have known what to do? Would you have even recognized the suspicious actions or that the people were probably working together? I can’t be at your store but training to reduce employee theft and prevent shoplifting from LPSI can ensure that you will be able to handle bad guys who want to steal from you effectively and safely.
Need information on training to reduce employee theft? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
Three employees try to stop shoplifting by two or was it three shoplifters at once? Sounds crazy doesn’t it? Well, that was what happened the other night at the store I work at as a sales associate. It was getting to be a bit after 7:00pm and I was on a cash register, the manager on duty was helping me ring up sales and the third employee was busy assisting another customer. I noticed a customer walk in who seemed very fidgety and I greeted him from my register and asked if he would need help. He asked where printer ink was located and I gave him directions and kept an eye on the cctv monitor for that area. I pointed him out to my manager. We both noticed a second individual walk into another area with electronics merchandise in it. We worked to get our lines down so we could provide customer service to these two “customers”. The manager working with me recognizes my Loss Prevention Management background and respects my suspicions when something or someone does not feel right. I would ask owners of smaller, self-owned stores what do YOU do to prevent theft? Do you know how crooks operate and the methods they use to rip off stores? Do you understand the impact dishonest employees and shoplifters have on a business? Training to reduce employee theft and stop shoplifting can bring you up to speed and actually help improve the bottom line for your business.
You read correctly that I was formerly a Loss Prevention Manager and I have over 28 total years of retail experience. I have seen the different ways large stores try to train employees and managers on how to prevent theft but they are not all equal and in many cases it is done only in a poor video training format. The best training I have found incorporates a live training session(s) in addition to follow-up videos and training modules. I have conducted new hire orientations and spent time coaching cashiers on how to prevent fraudulent transactions. I know first-hand the impact it has on people when they can ask questions and interact with an instructor. That is why I strongly recommend the training to reduce employee theft offered from Loss Prevention Systems Inc. They offer several seminars that teach store owners and managers on theft related issues. They also incorporate webinars, blogs and newsletters into a comprehensive package all with informed information from people who have extensive Loss Prevention backgrounds. You may not be able to afford a Loss Prevention team for your business but you can afford to learn the way to combat theft from Loss Prevention Systems Inc.
To continue with our encounter, I stayed with the customer in the ink department as he pretended to try to contact someone on his phone to get him the information on his printer for the ink he needed. He bided his time to see if I would go away but I’m all about customer service and waited patiently. In the meantime a third suspicious person asked me for directions to the restrooms. The manager had observed this while he was finishing his transactions and said he had watched this guy watch me as I was helping the patron in the ink department (yup, it gets crazy to follow). The manager finished and went to help the second subject in the electronics area. The manager told me later that the subject began rambling about nonsense when the manager offered to assist him. He also told me he saw something in the suspect’s hands that he tried to hide then put down and it turned out to be a box containing $30 earbuds. The box had been torn open and the customer had already started to remove the contents so the manager did stop shoplifting in this case. My suspect finally left the store and hung around the entrance looking back in so I stayed near the front where he could see me. The second suspect, uh, I mean customer, came to the register and put down three sets of earbuds at a total cost of $60 and then said he forgot his wallet and would be right back. Oddly, he never returned and the third suspect left without us seeing him.
I am certain we stopped a significant amount of loss but I could not quantify a total amount. Had this been YOUR store would you and your managers have known what to do? Would you have even recognized the suspicious actions or that the people were probably working together? I can’t be at your store but training to reduce employee theft and prevent shoplifting from LPSI can ensure that you will be able to handle bad guys who want to steal from you effectively and safely.
Need information on training to reduce employee theft? Give us a call at 1.770.426.0547 now.
