| Loss Prevention: Part 1
Loss prevention is something every company struggles with and with every item stolen, your bottom line is affected. It is important to know how to detect shoplifters and how to prevent it from happening. We will be doing a short series on loss prevention including helpful tips on how to spot shoplifters and how to prevent stealing. Our first article goes over the shoplifter themselves. |
| Shoplifting Methods |
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Shoplifters can be placed in one of two categories, professional and amateur. While both groups can be quite skilled at the art of thievery, professional shoplifters steal to make a living and may use force or intimidation. The non-professional shoplifter may be easier to spot.
Shoplifter Methods
Many of these thieves work in groups of two or more to distract the sales staff while they pilfer. Shoplifters learn to take advantage of busy stores during peak hours or they may hit at times when employees are less alert, such as opening, closing and shift changes.
Hiding merchandise is the most common method of shoplifting. Items are concealed in the clothing of the shoplifter, in handbags, strollers, umbrellas or inside purchased merchandise. Bold shoplifters may grab an item and run out of the store. Other methods include price label switching, short changing the cashier, phony returns, and so on.
To learn how to spot the shoplifter, please click here. |
