If you are not aggressively trying to prevent shoplifting in your retail store your profits will suffer. Shoplifters are not going away. In fact as un-employment continues to be high and the economy remains unstable a higher percentage of people are shoplifting to get what they need and want. We also know from studies that shoplifters shift to unprotected retailers.
From experience, I know that when shoplifters know that you are an easy target they will hit you over and over. Shoplifters will also tell their shoplifter friends about your store (“Hey they are asleep at the switch in there. They are clueless”). Over time you become “the store of choice”. Without realizing it your profits get slowly worse.
What measures do you take to prevent shoplifting?
- Training!!! Have an Anti-shoplifting training program. Doing it once feels good for a while but like any other business issue unless you make it a priority your employees will loose interest over time. You have to refresh and train new people.
- Install a Checkpoint Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) system. Label and tag a select group of merchandise. EAS is a labor multiplier. Spend less labor dollars to cover the same amount of sales floor. Shoplifters are caught at the door. This creates deterrence. Word will get around.
- Don’t be afraid to approach suspected shoplifters. Their goal is to be anonymous. Let them know you are aware, see and are helping them. Shoplifters hate customer service. Give them their fill! If necessary stand right there with them providing exceptional customer service.
Waiting to prevent shoplifting is like hoping that engine knock in your car will get better on it’s own. YOU can fix the problem. Step back and objectively look at your operation now. You might be surprised what you see.
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