Shoplifting Prevention Tips for Your Store

Shoplifting is a big problem for a variety of retailers, but especially for retailers like grocery stores and convenience stores that have products with lower margins. According to FBI crime data, there were 548K shoplifting cases in 2021. Additionally, the Annual Retail Theft Survey reported that retailers lose $15-$20B annually to shoplifters, up 26.6% from 2020. Taking measures to prevent shoplifting can save you a lot of money each year, so here are a few tips to prevent loss in your store…

TRAIN YOUR EMPLOYEES THOROUGHLY

According to the Grocery Store Guy, “Well-trained employees are the number one way used by grocery stores to protect stolen goods.” A few ways you can train your employees is by…

• Encouraging them to provide hands-on customer service
  • By offering a basket or cart to prevent common shoplifting tactics like hiding items in their pockets or in reusable grocery bags
• Making sure they actively engage with customers
  • By asking them if they are finding everything okay
  • By interacting with customers while they shop
• Having them be vigilant
  • By actively looking out for suspicious activity
• Greeting every customer that walks in
  • Adding a layer of excellent customer service while also deterring shoplifters

CONSIDER USING SECURITY TAGS

Consider placing security tags on items to prevent stealing as well as alert the store by triggering an alarm when stolen items pass through the door. Especially these most commonly stolen goods…

• From grocery stores, according to Finance Buzz
  • Alcohol
  • Baby formula
  • Chocolate
  • Seafood
  • OTC medicine
  • Personal care items
  • Family planning products
• From convenience stores, according to Petro Soft
  • Razors
  • Energy drinks
  • Cigarettes
  • OTC medicine
  • Alcohol
  • Cosmetics
  • Batteries

INCREASE THE NUMBER OF CAMERAS IN YOUR STORE

In case an incident does occur, you will be able to review camera footage to see what happened to provide information to police so that, hopefully, the suspect can be caught and inventory can be returned. Additionally, when people see cameras or feel like they are being watched/monitored, they are less likely to steal. Plus, if an employee is monitoring the cameras, they could potentially spot odd customer behavior prior to an incident occurring.