Retail Theft
Learn about the definition of retail theft, examples of retail theft prevention, and how to prevent theft in retail stores with a real-time inspection and reporting tool that teams can use for free.
Learn about the definition of retail theft, examples of retail theft prevention, and how to prevent theft in retail stores with a real-time inspection and reporting tool that teams can use for free.
Published 26 May 2023
Retail theft is the criminal act of willfully concealing or taking possession of merchandise without intending to pay for them, depriving retailers of their right to own the items on sale. Preventing retail theft has increasingly become a priority for store owners and retail managers. With the help of a real-time inspection and reporting tool, teams can work better together to prevent retail theft and improve the safety, security, and profitability of retail establishments.
Retail Theft | Examples of Preventive Measures
In most instances, retail theft and shoplifting are almost always used interchangeably, but there are a few notable differences. While shoplifting generally applies to customers who steal goods from any open business, retail theft usually covers a wider range of theft crimes committed by both customers and employees. One such example of this type of retail theft is under-ringing.
In the US, retail theft or shoplifting is a violation of state law which can result in a misdemeanor offense, a criminal fine, or a jail sentence, depending on the value of the merchandise stolen, the gravity of the charges, and the statutes of the jurisdiction.
A report by the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and the Buy Safe America Coalition found that US-based retailers lost nearly $70 billion worth of products in 2019 because of retail theft. While no business can be 100% theft-proof, retailers can be more proactive about preventing incidents of retail theft from occurring. Based on our research, here are 5 of the best ways to prevent theft in retail stores:
Store owners and retail managers can be better prepared in case of potential theft in their shop by having a plan in place. It can provide basic procedures for implementing policy-related preventive measures like returns and refunds, bag checking, and employee scheduling. It can also outline a protocol that workers can follow when dealing with incidents of in-store theft such as detaining suspected shoplifters and getting the police involved.
Store personnel play an important role to prevent theft in retail establishments, so it is crucial for them to be equipped with the right knowledge in engaging with customers and detecting suspicious behavior. Retail employees should familiarize themselves with common shoplifting tactics by being mindful of the cash registers and keeping an eye on the dressing room area. Training staff on crowd management, especially during peak seasons, and communication in retail services helps leverage on customer service skills as an effective deterrent to theft.
Periodically conducting physical counts on retail inventory makes it easier for shop owners to determine at-risk merchandise and secure them in locked cases. Moreover, updated inventories enable retail managers to execute visual merchandising accordingly, avoiding overstocked display shelves and reducing shrinkage. Not only can keeping track of inventory avert attempting shoplifters, but it can also deter workers from even considering employee theft.
Preventing theft in retail establishments can happen by design. Some of the most common retail theft prevention methods for small businesses are to station customer checkouts near the entrance/exit, position mirrors and security cameras or CCTVs within the premises, and post signages about the consequences of theft. A study by the Loss Prevention Research Council (LPRC) revealed that over 50% of shoplifters indicated that they would either go to another store or not steal anything if surveillance signs were present in the area.
Messy stores can become thriving hotspots for theft because sales representatives will experience difficulty in identifying when items have already been stolen. Properly arranging and displaying products allows retail staff to easily notice missing quantities. One of the simplest ways store owners and retail managers can maintain an organized store is to regularly perform audits. Ensure that store operations keep running smoothly everyday using these checklists.
Training staff on proper safety procedures is also essential to maintaining an organized system. Using online courses that you can deploy across your team, you can be assured that everyone will be on the same page and knowledgeable about the proper safety and anti-theft procedures.
Empower your team with SafetyCulture to perform checks, train staff, report issues, and automate tasks with our digital platform.
Recently, the National Retail Federation (NRF) stated that organized retail crime (ORC) and violent incidents in particular are a growing threat to national retail security. Based on their survey, retail loss prevention professionals are looking to the future with continued investment in technology resources and people. Listed below are common examples of retail theft prevention devices retailers can use:
SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor) is a real-time inspection and reporting tool which makes it easier for retailers to gain visibility over their entire operations so that they can proactively prevent theft and learn from previous incidents. With one tap, employees can manage assets, send completed inspection reports to designated personnel, and, with one glance, allow store owners and retail managers to view organized data in neat dashboards. To help teams get started, download and use these free retail theft prevention checklists based on the standards of a global composite insurer:
Jona Tarlengco
Jona Tarlengco is a content writer and researcher for SafetyCulture since 2018. She usually writes about safety and quality topics, contributing to the creation of well-researched articles. Her 5-year experience in one of the world’s leading business news organisations helps enrich the quality of the information in her work.
Jona Tarlengco is a content writer and researcher for SafetyCulture since 2018. She usually writes about safety and quality topics, contributing to the creation of well-researched articles. Her 5-year experience in one of the world’s leading business news organisations helps enrich the quality of the information in her work.
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