Shoplifting can has a significant impact on small to medium-sized retailers. Not only does it lead to loss of profits, but it can also be dangerous for employees and customers if confrontations arise. Therefore, it is crucial for retailers to take steps to DISCOURAGE shoplifting and protect their business. One effective way to do this is by implementing a Sensormatic system.
A Sensormatic system is a type of electronic article surveillance (EAS) system that uses tags or labels attached to merchandise and detection devices placed at store exits to alert store personnel when a product is being stolen. Here are some ways a Sensormatic system can discourage shoplifters:
Visible deterrent: The presence of Sensormatic systems, including antennas and tags, can act as a visible deterrent to shoplifters. Knowing that a store is actively taking measures to prevent shoplifting can make it less appealing for potential thieves to target the store.
Sensormatic system: When a shoplifter attempts to leave the store with a tagged item, the Sensormatic system will trigger an alarm. This can alert employees and security personnel to the theft, allowing them to intervene quickly and prevent the shoplifter from leaving the store undetected.
Monitoring: Sensormatic systems can also be linked to Artificial Intelligence (AI) security cameras, allowing for continuous monitoring of the store. This can help identify potential shoplifters and provide evidence in the event of theft. Sensormatic AI is on the cutting edge and is very affordable to even the smallest retailer.
Additional monitoring: Sensormatic systems can provide real-time alerts to Retailers smart devices such as a cell phone. We also can keep track of customer counts by hour of the day, day of the week. This allows you to put Associates on the floor where and when they are needed!
In addition to implementing a Sensormatic system, there are several other steps that small to medium-sized retailers can take to discourage shoplifting:
Employee training: Train employees on how to identify and prevent shoplifting. Provide them with clear guidelines on how to approach and handle suspected shoplifters. We provide this live training to our customers as often as you need it, free of charge!
Customer service: Providing excellent customer service can help deter shoplifters. When employees are attentive and friendly, it creates a less anonymous and more engaging atmosphere for customers, making them less likely to attempt to steal. Loss Prevention Systems teaches a method that allows your Associates to identify, frustrate and subsequently run off the shoplifter while providing excellent customer service to you good customers.
Store layout: Design the store layout in a way that allows for clear visibility and easy monitoring of all areas. Avoid creating blind spots or areas that are difficult to see from the cash register or other high-traffic areas.
Display merchandise carefully: Display expensive or high-risk items in locked cases or behind the cash register. This will make it more difficult for shoplifters to access these items without attracting attention.
Yes, shoplifting can have a significant impact on small to medium-sized retailers, but there are steps that can be taken to discourage shoplifting and protect the business. You are not in this alone. Loss Prevention Systems can help you to minimize your shoplifting problem. As a part of an overall plan implementing a Sensormatic system is an effective way to prevent shoplifting, while employee training, customer service, store layout, and careful merchandise display can also help deter potential thieves.
Change is not always easy for example I remember having to make changes in how to stop shoplifting when I went from one company to another. I promoted from a Loss Prevention Associate in a store where I could chase shoplifters, tackle and hold them until local police arrived to a Loss Prevention Manager of a company that would not permit any pursuit beyond the sidewalk. Later, due to circumstances of management realignment I had to depart my beloved Loss Prevention Manager position and took on a Freight Manager role I was successful in by almost all diagnostic measurements. Unfortunately (or fortunately as I later realized), that position took a toll on me and I resigned after a year and a half. Despite my experience and education new work did not come easily but I did wind up back in Loss Prevention for a retail store that had a total hand-off policy. Even if I saw a shoplifter conceal merchandise and set off the Sensormatic security system I could “talk to them” but I could not physically stop the person. I tried to abide by the policy despite my disagreement. You can’t stop shoplifting if there are no repercussions when a thief walks out and knows you cannot touch them. Oh that company has closed down almost all of their brick and mortar locations. I have my own opinion as to why. I left the company after a few short months for reasons I won’t get into but suffice it to say it was another fortuitous situation as that location was only open a couple of more years. Change happens.
I have also had to handle change in how to stop shoplifting going from one type of electronic article surveillance company to another. The last one I was involved with was Sensormatic security systems and I must say I was impressed with the quality of the equipment and tags. I was already familiar with the brand but had not used it myself. I still have some familiarity with it as the office store where I work uses the system and I know how good our inventory shortage results are for the past 8 years. The results speak volumes of the effectiveness of Sensormatic in helping stores stop shoplifting (even though I still get the itch to do it myself from time to time). Systems have their own features and some may compare them to driving a Ford or a Chevy. I would liken it to driving a mini-van or a Cadillac Escalade. The mini-van gets me where I need to go (that is what I can afford to drive) the Escalade would also get me there but with more bells, whistles and let’s be honest reliability. I think of Sensormatic security systems as the Escalade versus the other electronic article surveillance systems on the market. They just perform better.
Change can come in other forms in our work and careers. Sometimes we think we want to do one thing and events or circumstances force us to go another path. In my life I believe God has directed my career and sometimes it can be downright scary. But in the end I find I have learned new things or I have contributed in some small manner to a new employer. I never would have imagined that my Air Force Law Enforcement experience and Retail Loss Prevention experiences would ever have led to work in a college library! Nor would I have ever imagined myself as a writer of articles for a Loss Prevention consulting business. Sure, like many others I kind of had a secret desire to write but I did not get a degree in English or Journalism. My degree in Sociology was a far cry from writing. But as I look at my experiences as an Air Force Law Enforcement Specialist and a Loss Prevention Officer and Manager, I had to write…A LOT! When I would stop shoplifting and apprehend a culprit I had to write a report that might go to court. It had to be accurate. Maybe I was more prepared than I thought.
My point is change can and will happen. Are you ready to embrace it or fight it? There is nothing wrong with being a little nervous about it. What will I do? How do I react? Questions will arise. But in my case I was given an opportunity by a new boss, Bill Bregar, to try my hand at writing for his company. I had coaching and encouragement along the way by new friends Ashleigh Berry and Cathy Benoist. I was pushed out of comfort zones and tried new things. A new door opened and I was welcomed with open arms I will never forget what these people have done for me. That is how YOU should embrace change. Now a door is closing. I don’t know where it will lead but I am confident God has a new and exciting adventure planned. After 849 articles it is time to see where a new door will open but before I do let me leave you with these words of wisdom from someone with over 17 years in Retail Loss Prevention…If you don’t have a Sensormatic security system, buy one you will improve the financial success of your store, I promise!
For more information on Sensormatic security systems, contact us at 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
Change is not always easy for example I remember having to make changes in how to stop shoplifting when I went from one company to another. I was promoted from a Loss Prevention Associate in a store where I could chase shoplifters, tackle and hold them until local police arrived to a Loss Prevention Manager of a company that would not permit any pursuit beyond the sidewalk. Later, due to circumstances of management realignment I had to depart my beloved Loss Prevention Manager position and took on a Freight Manager role I was successful in by almost all diagnostic measurements. Unfortunately (or fortunately as I later realized), that position took a toll on me and I resigned after a year and a half. Despite my experience and education new work did not come easily but I did wind up back in Loss Prevention for a retail store that had a total hands-off policy. Even if I saw a shoplifter conceal merchandise and set off the Sensormatic security system I could “talk to them” but I could not physically stop the person. I tried to abide by the policy despite my disagreement. You can’t stop shoplifting if there are no repercussions when a thief walks out and knows you cannot touch them. Oh that company has closed down almost all of their brick and mortar locations. I have my own opinion as to why. I left the company after a few short months for reasons I won’t get into but suffice it to say it was another fortuitous situation as that location was only open a couple of more years. Change happens.
I have also had to handle change in how to stop shoplifting going from one type of electronic article surveillance company to another. The last one I was involved with was Sensormatic security systems and I must say I was impressed with the quality of the equipment and tags. I was already familiar with the brand but had not used it myself. I still have some familiarity with it as the office store where I work uses the system and I know how good our inventory shortage results are for the past 8 years. The results speak volumes of the effectiveness of Sensormatic in helping stores stop shoplifting (even though I still get the itch to do it myself from time to time). Systems have their own features and some may compare them to driving a Ford or a Chevy. I would liken it to driving a mini-van or a Cadillac Escalade. The mini-van gets me where I need to go (that is what I can afford to drive) the Escalade would also get me there but with more bells, whistles and let’s be honest reliability. I think of Sensormatic security systems as the Escalade versus the other electronic article surveillance systems on the market. They just perform better.
Change can come in other forms in our work and careers. Sometimes we think we want to do one thing and events or circumstances force us to go another path. In my life I believe God has directed my career and sometimes it can be downright scary. But in the end I find I have learned new things or I have contributed in some small manner to a new employer. I never would have imagined that my Air Force Law Enforcement experience and Retail Loss Prevention experiences would ever have led to work in a college library! Nor would I have ever imagined myself as a writer of articles for a Loss Prevention consulting business. Sure, like many others I kind of had a secret desire to write but I did not get a degree in English or Journalism. My degree in Sociology was a far cry from writing. But as I look at my experiences as an Air Force Law Enforcement Specialist and a Loss Prevention Officer and Manager, I had to write…A LOT! When I would stop shoplifting and apprehend a culprit I had to write a report that might go to court. It had to be accurate. Maybe I was more prepared than I thought.
My point is change can and will happen. Are you ready to embrace it or fight it? There is nothing wrong with being a little nervous about it. What will I do? How do I react? Questions will arise. But in my case I was given an opportunity by a new boss, Bill Bregar, to try my hand at writing for his company. I had coaching and encouragement along the way by new friends Ashleigh Berry and Cathy Benoist. I was pushed out of comfort zones and tried new things. A new door opened and I was welcomed with open arms I will never forget what these people have done for me. That is how YOU should embrace change. Now a door is closing. I don’t know where it will lead but I am confident God has a new and exciting adventure planned. After 849 articles it is time to see where a new door will open but before I do let me leave you with these words of wisdom from someone with over 17 years in Retail Loss Prevention…If you don’t have a Sensormatic security system, buy one you will improve the financial success of your store, I promise!
For more information on Sensormatic security systems, contact us at 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
The Best Shortage Reduction Programs Always Include Clothing Security Tags
It can be difficult to decide the best clothing security to use to protect your merchandise from theft. Do you rely on fantastic customer service to dissuade potential pilferers from scooting out with unpaid goods? Do you have fitting room practices in place to prevent hidden goods from being secreted into a dressing room? Perhaps you use closed circuit television cameras and monitors to deter criminals from stealing clothing. Each of these is a good tool in the fight against merchandise shortage but if this is all you are doing then you are missing a critical element in your tool chest.
Sensormatic’s electronic article surveillance towers and clothing security tags are essential for those store owners who are looking for effective methods to reduce shortage. For one thing the tags are nearly impossible to remove without damaging the merchandise. They are built so that a Sensormatic detachment tool is required to take the tag off of an item. I confess that as a Loss Prevention Officer I wanted to see how difficult it really would be to forcibly remove clothing security tags so I attempted to pry one off of a shirt. The shirt was damaged already so I wasn’t destroying anything of value. I can say that the tag did not come off and as I recall I did end up damaging the product more in the process. Since I had a pretty good understanding of how the tags worked I can only imagine the damage a shoplifter would do to a garment if they were able to get a tagged article of clothing out of a store.
Sensormatic products alone are a strong deterrent to criminals. They don’t want to damage merchandise. Whether they intend to sell it to make money, trade the clothes for drugs or take the goods for their own use the majority of shoplifters recognize the damage tags will cause of forcibly removed. That removes the incentive to try to steal in the first place. Most people also understand what electronic article surveillance systems do and that includes shoplifters. The potential risk of setting off a Sensormatic security alarm and getting caught is another deterrent that prevents theft from taking place.
Are these risks associated with Sensormatic tags enough to impede all shoplifters? I would say no. A system may work as a standalone clothing security measure for a time but when crooks see that no one responds to alarm activations they no longer fear being stopped. An effective clothing security program will incorporate training employees on how to properly react to electronic article surveillance alarms. Waving at a customer who has just set off a Sensormatic alarm pedestal only reinforces to thieves that alarms are not taken seriously at a store where this happens. Ongoing training with employees is an important part of an overall shortage reduction program for a store. There are right and wrong ways to stop people who set off alarms.
I mentioned at the beginning of this article that there are other tools that retailers use in their efforts to enhance clothing security. Fitting room controls is one of my favorite areas to focus theft prevention. The reason is the privacy afforded thieves when they enter a fitting room. They know stores cannot place closed circuit television cameras or mirrors here. They hide merchandise and clothing articles between draped pieces of clothing and walk in. While in the room they either change into the clothing hidden between layers of merchandise they are carrying or they conceal those items in a bag, backpack, purse etc. Scheduling an associate to work the fitting room and separate merchandise being taken into a room is a strong deterrent to shoplifting. I cannot tell you how much merchandise I have seen good fitting room attendants recover.
In order to stop shoplifting and improve your profits you must have a comprehensive program in place. Start a program with a great customer service culture add clothing security tags and a Sensormatic system and a fitting room attendant and you will be well on your way. Help is always just a phone call away.
For more information on clothing security contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
It can be difficult to decide the best clothing security to use to protect your merchandise from theft. Do you rely on fantastic customer service to dissuade potential pilferers from scooting out with unpaid goods? Do you have fitting room practices in place to prevent hidden goods from being secreted into a dressing room? Perhaps you use closed circuit television cameras and monitors to deter criminals from stealing clothing. Each of these is a good tool in the fight against merchandise shortage but if this is all you are doing then you are missing a critical element in your tool chest.
Sensormatic’s electronic article surveillance towers and clothing security tags are essential for those store owners who are looking for effective methods to reduce shortage. For one thing the tags are nearly impossible to remove without damaging the merchandise. They are built so that a Sensormatic detachment tool is required to take the tag off of an item. I confess that as a Loss Prevention Officer I wanted to see how difficult it really would be to forcibly remove clothing security tags so I attempted to pry one off of a shirt. The shirt was damaged already so I wasn’t destroying anything of value. I can say that the tag did not come off and as I recall I did end up damaging the product more in the process. Since I had a pretty good understanding of how the tags worked I can only imagine the damage a shoplifter would do to a garment if they were able to get a tagged article of clothing out of a store.
Sensormatic products alone are a strong deterrent to criminals. They don’t want to damage merchandise. Whether they intend to sell it to make money, trade the clothes for drugs or take the goods for their own use the majority of shoplifters recognize the damage tags will cause of forcibly removed. That removes the incentive to try to steal in the first place. Most people also understand what electronic article surveillance systems do and that includes shoplifters. The potential risk of setting off a Sensormatic security alarm and getting caught is another deterrent that prevents theft from taking place.
Are these risks associated with Sensormatic tags enough to impede all shoplifters? I would say no. A system may work as a standalone clothing security measure for a time but when crooks see that no one responds to alarm activations they no longer fear being stopped. An effective clothing security program will incorporate training employees on how to properly react to electronic article surveillance alarms. Waving at a customer who has just set off a Sensormatic alarm pedestal only reinforces to thieves that alarms are not taken seriously at a store where this happens. Ongoing training with employees is an important part of an overall shortage reduction program for a store. There are right and wrong ways to stop people who set off alarms.
I mentioned at the beginning of this article that there are other tools that retailers use in their efforts to enhance clothing security. Fitting room controls is one of my favorite areas to focus theft prevention. The reason is the privacy afforded thieves when they enter a fitting room. They know stores cannot place closed circuit television cameras or mirrors here. They hide merchandise and clothing articles between draped pieces of clothing and walk in. While in the room they either change into the clothing hidden between layers of merchandise they are carrying or they conceal those items in a bag, backpack, purse etc. Scheduling an associate to work the fitting room and separate merchandise being taken into a room is a strong deterrent to shoplifting. I cannot tell you how much merchandise I have seen good fitting room attendants recover.
In order to stop shoplifting and improve your profits you must have a comprehensive program in place. Start a program with a great customer service culture add clothing security tags and a Sensormatic system and a fitting room attendant and you will be well on your way. Help is always just a phone call away.
For more information on clothing security contact us or call 1.770.426.0547
A Free Loss Prevention Calculator Can Lead To A Free Loss Prevention System
Can Loss Prevention be free or can training to stop shoplifting be free? It seems like these are silly questions to ask especially if you are like me and believe nothing is free in life. If something is offered for free there nearly always seems to be some sort of catch to the offer. Most of you reading this article are business owners or business managers and you know you can’t afford to just give things away without expecting some type of return on your investment. I have seen offers in stores where you get a free package of paper with the purchase of a particular series of printers. Okay, but I have to buy that brand and model to get the free paper. Usually those models of printers tend to be a bit pricier anyways. How about when you give away pens or other “swag” with your business logo? Yes, those are free but the idea is you are going to get a return on your investment when customers come to shop with you because they saw your business logo on that item. Nothing is wrong with any of these promos and in fact I encourage these enticements. It is a smart way to get more business or increase sales. So when I heard about the Free Loss Prevention Calculator my first instinct was what is the catch?
My first thought was to go to the site where it was offered and see if I had to log in or set up a username and password and then the company would be able to contact me. It isn’t going to be all that free if I feel pushed by a salesman into purchasing a Sensormatic security system for a store. Much to my surprise I did not have to do any kind of sign in. There was a tab at the top of the page and I clicked on it and went straight to the Free Loss Prevention Calculator. I was able to enter a few pieces of data, specifically estimated annual sales and how much I was willing to invest in Loss Prevention. The calculation was done and showed me approximately how much a Sensormatic system could save me in reduced shortage annually. Based on the reduction it showed me how long it would take for the system to pay for itself. It was incredibly easy to use and I could adjust numbers as much as I wanted to do so. Can Loss Prevention be free? Looking at the results of the calculator yes it can be.
Of course being the skeptic I am after I closed out I waited to see if I was going to get some kind of email from the company. Surely they had to have a way to track me being on their page it would be good business sense. A couple days went by and not a peep. The Free Loss Prevention Calculator truly was free to use. I will also give the company credit and say yes, it also appears that the Loss Prevention system itself could be free. Through the losses it would prevent it would pay for itself over time. But this got me to investigating a bit more because I am a Loss Prevention professional and investigating is what I do. I wanted to know what the catch was in buying a system from this company. They would require me to buy a system and then charge me to train my team on how to use the thing, right? I was flabbergasted. If I were to purchase a brand new Sensormatic system from this company they provide FREE training on how to use it. I have been in Retail Loss Prevention for a long time and I can say this is unprecedented. But after digging a little deeper into this business I realized their focus is not on sales of equipment, their focus is on helping businesses increase profits through reducing theft and shortage. That can be through assessing shortage risks of a store be they operational or theft related and helping to create an action plan to address those risks. It is through in person and online training opportunities they offer stores. They can also conduct background checks to help stores not hire risky employees in the first place.
Can Loss Prevention be free? It seems like it can be and with that said I suppose I need to reevaluate my position that nothing in life can be free. There are three things that can be free, Loss Prevention, the Free Loss Prevention Calculator and training when a Sensormatic security system is purchased from Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. Check it out for yourself I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
For more information on the free Loss Prevention Calculator, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
Can Loss Prevention be free or can training to stop shoplifting be free? It seems like these are silly questions to ask especially if you are like me and believe nothing is free in life. If something is offered for free there nearly always seems to be some sort of catch to the offer. Most of you reading this article are business owners or business managers and you know you can’t afford to just give things away without expecting some type of return on your investment. I have seen offers in stores where you get a free package of paper with the purchase of a particular series of printers. Okay, but I have to buy that brand and model to get the free paper. Usually those models of printers tend to be a bit pricier anyways. How about when you give away pens or other “swag” with your business logo? Yes, those are free but the idea is you are going to get a return on your investment when customers come to shop with you because they saw your business logo on that item. Nothing is wrong with any of these promos and in fact I encourage these enticements. It is a smart way to get more business or increase sales. So when I heard about the Free Loss Prevention Calculator my first instinct was what is the catch?
My first thought was to go to the site where it was offered and see if I had to log in or set up a username and password and then the company would be able to contact me. It isn’t going to be all that free if I feel pushed by a salesman into purchasing a Sensormatic security system for a store. Much to my surprise I did not have to do any kind of sign in. There was a tab at the top of the page and I clicked on it and went straight to the Free Loss Prevention Calculator. I was able to enter a few pieces of data, specifically estimated annual sales and how much I was willing to invest in Loss Prevention. The calculation was done and showed me approximately how much a Sensormatic system could save me in reduced shortage annually. Based on the reduction it showed me how long it would take for the system to pay for itself. It was incredibly easy to use and I could adjust numbers as much as I wanted to do so. Can Loss Prevention be free? Looking at the results of the calculator yes it can be.
Of course being the skeptic I am after I closed out I waited to see if I was going to get some kind of email from the company. Surely they had to have a way to track me being on their page it would be good business sense. A couple days went by and not a peep. The Free Loss Prevention Calculator truly was free to use. I will also give the company credit and say yes, it also appears that the Loss Prevention system itself could be free. Through the losses it would prevent it would pay for itself over time. But this got me to investigating a bit more because I am a Loss Prevention professional and investigating is what I do. I wanted to know what the catch was in buying a system from this company. They would require me to buy a system and then charge me to train my team on how to use the thing, right? I was flabbergasted. If I were to purchase a brand new Sensormatic system from this company they provide FREE training on how to use it. I have been in Retail Loss Prevention for a long time and I can say this is unprecedented. But after digging a little deeper into this business I realized their focus is not on sales of equipment, their focus is on helping businesses increase profits through reducing theft and shortage. That can be through assessing shortage risks of a store be they operational or theft related and helping to create an action plan to address those risks. It is through in person and online training opportunities they offer stores. They can also conduct background checks to help stores not hire risky employees in the first place.
Can Loss Prevention be free? It seems like it can be and with that said I suppose I need to reevaluate my position that nothing in life can be free. There are three things that can be free, Loss Prevention, the Free Loss Prevention Calculator and training when a Sensormatic security system is purchased from Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. Check it out for yourself I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
For more information on the free Loss Prevention Calculator, contact us or call 1.770.426.0547.
I just saw a clip on my Facebook feed where a uniformed store security was following anti-shoplifting protocols for a store and asking for a receipt check. I don’t know why I put myself through these painful videos because they tend to just get me angry. I was angry because the customer who filmed the episode was obviously being obnoxious on purpose and trying to start something. His capturing of the event on his phone made that apparent. I was angry that the security officer did not have a better response to the “customer” and the manager who was called over was less helpful. By the end of the two or three minute clip I wanted to snatch that phone and break it. When the store manager decided to just let the obnoxious customer just leave the video recording continued and the manager and security officer asked him to stop and he wouldn’t. I could not tell if there was a Sensormatic security system in use in this store but if there was I would have liked to see what would have happened if the alarm had sounded.
During my tenure as a Loss Prevention Manager I came across similar situations and empathize with the Security Officer. There is no clear-cut right or wrong answer to this problem. I have looked at number of websites with lawyers giving advice to “legal” websites. The interesting thing is on one website with several lawyers giving their input some say a store has a right to briefly detain those suspected of shoplifting and recommend you stop and show a receipt. They argue it helps keep prices lower for everyone. Others say you are not required to stop and that they keep walking. Others give a short response saying that if you are offended don’t shop there anymore. One response did say that stopping for a receipt check is a requirement of membership for club type stores like Costco. There are even testy debates on websites about whether you are required to stop for a Sensormatic security system or similar alarm activation. Does this qualify as grounds for reasonable detainment?
To be perfectly frank the issue is there is no federal guideline. Each state has their own laws governing ”Shopkeeper’s Privilege” and what is a reasonable detainment. Anti-shoplifting laws are not universal and therefore as a store owner it is incumbent on you to be familiar with the laws of your own state. This brings up the question of whether it makes sense to even have a person at the door to help prevent shoplifting or a Sensormatic system to discourage thieves?
I believe it is in the best interest of stores to have an anti-shoplifting system in place. This is no different than having closed circuit television cameras, camera domes and monitors in a store. They do help deter impulse thieves. These are the people who come in and without a lot of forethought decide to steal as a thrill or on a dare or even peer-pressure. A Sensormatic security system with towers at the doors and merchandise with security tags is usually enough to make these people change their mind about stealing. Even some of the shoplifters who are stealing for drugs are stopped when they realize a security system is in use. The only ones who may not be deterred are the hardcore criminals or organized crime groups who you may not want to be dealing with anyways other than through customer service.
What about a receipt checker at the door? Most people are going to be cooperative and willing to show a receipt. There are some who are going to refuse. I can only suggest that if you are going to have someone at the door you have a consistent policy of only asking for a receipt on exposed merchandise (meaning merchandise not in a bag from your store). You also need to ensure if employees are responding to a Sensormatic security system alarm that your employees are trained on how to do so properly. Never accuse someone of shoplifting simply because an alarm sounds. It could be a cashier failed to remove a clothing security tag from a shirt or jeans. The great thing is if you aren’t sure your employees are trained properly on alarm response or you don’t have a Sensormatic system, Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. offers training and if you purchase an anti-shoplifting system from them you get FREE training to go along with it.
There is no easy answer to the problem of receipt checks. Hopefully I have given you a few helpful tips on how to try to resolve the issue. It is important to keep in mind that most honest shoppers will be willing to show receipts in order to help stop shoplifting and keep prices low.
A Sensormatic security system is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
I just saw a clip on my Facebook feed where a uniformed store security was following anti-shoplifting protocols for a store and asking for a receipt check. I don’t know why I put myself through these painful videos because they tend to just get me angry. I was angry because the customer who filmed the episode was obviously being obnoxious on purpose and trying to start something. His capturing of the event on his phone made that apparent. I was angry that the security officer did not have a better response to the “customer” and the manager who was called over was less helpful. By the end of the two or three minute clip I wanted to snatch that phone and break it. When the store manager decided to just let the obnoxious customer just leave the video recording continued and the manager and security officer asked him to stop and he wouldn’t. I could not tell if there was a Sensormatic security system in use in this store but if there was I would have liked to see what would have happened if the alarm had sounded.
During my tenure as a Loss Prevention Manager I came across similar situations and empathize with the Security Officer. There is no clear-cut right or wrong answer to this problem. I have looked at number of websites with lawyers giving advice to “legal” websites. The interesting thing is on one website with several lawyers giving their input some say a store has a right to briefly detain those suspected of shoplifting and recommend you stop and show a receipt. They argue it helps keep prices lower for everyone. Others say you are not required to stop and that they keep walking. Others give a short response saying that if you are offended don’t shop there anymore. One response did say that stopping for a receipt check is a requirement of membership for club type stores like Costco. There are even testy debates on websites about whether you are required to stop for a Sensormatic security system or similar alarm activation. Does this qualify as grounds for reasonable detainment?
To be perfectly frank the issue is there is no federal guideline. Each state has their own laws governing ”Shopkeeper’s Privilege” and what is a reasonable detainment. Anti-shoplifting laws are not universal and therefore as a store owner it is incumbent on you to be familiar with the laws of your own state. This brings up the question of whether it makes sense to even have a person at the door to help prevent shoplifting or a Sensormatic system to discourage thieves?
I believe it is in the best interest of stores to have an anti-shoplifting system in place. This is no different than having closed circuit television cameras, camera domes and monitors in a store. They do help deter impulse thieves. These are the people who come in and without a lot of forethought decide to steal as a thrill or on a dare or even peer-pressure. A Sensormatic security system with towers at the doors and merchandise with security tags is usually enough to make these people change their mind about stealing. Even some of the shoplifters who are stealing for drugs are stopped when they realize a security system is in use. The only ones who may not be deterred are the hardcore criminals or organized crime groups who you may not want to be dealing with anyways other than through customer service.
What about a receipt checker at the door? Most people are going to be cooperative and willing to show a receipt. There are some who are going to refuse. I can only suggest that if you are going to have someone at the door you have a consistent policy of only asking for a receipt on exposed merchandise (meaning merchandise not in a bag from your store). You also need to ensure if employees are responding to a Sensormatic security system alarm that your employees are trained on how to do so properly. Never accuse someone of shoplifting simply because an alarm sounds. It could be a cashier failed to remove a clothing security tag from a shirt or jeans. The great thing is if you aren’t sure your employees are trained properly on alarm response or you don’t have a Sensormatic system, Loss Prevention Systems, Inc. offers training and if you purchase an anti-shoplifting system from them you get FREE training to go along with it.
There is no easy answer to the problem of receipt checks. Hopefully I have given you a few helpful tips on how to try to resolve the issue. It is important to keep in mind that most honest shoppers will be willing to show receipts in order to help stop shoplifting and keep prices low.
