If you run a retail operation, this number will sound scary: According to the Loss Prevention Research Council,

1 out of 11 customers is a habitual shoplifter, and their actions result in losses of nearly $10 billion worth of merchandise each year in the United States. To cover the cost, retailers are often forced to pass the cost on to law-abiding customers, raising prices for everyone. To combat the huge cost of shoplifting and theft, retailers have relied on a variety of security techniques and tools. While solutions such as security guards and surveillance systems provide ample protection, their price tags can be draining on budget-minded retailers. Luckily, there are a few lowcost alternatives that retailers and their businesses can benefit from. Here are eight low cost ways that retailers can fight shoplifting and theft without breaking the bank: 1) Layout of the business Arrange aisles and displays to reduce the amount of space that is out of view of employees. Retailers should also place checkout stations near entrances so that potential shoplifting hands are viewable on their way out. 2) Security system decals Even the dimmest criminal is more likely to walk past a business that could potentially have a state-of-the-art security defense system than a business without any warning signs. A simple warning decal on the front door can deter shoplifting and theft. 3) Merchandise placement Avoid unnecessarily displaying merchandise near entrances or by unlocked exits. The professional shoplifter functions in the retailers environment like a wolf in the wilderness, capable of smelling prey from a mile away and gravitating to the priciest items where security is weak. 4) Speak another language Developing a special code language for employees, using words or phrases to indicate that a customer needs to be supervised or confronted, is a valuable technique you can use to thwart potential shoplifting and theft that lets you remain inconspicuous and avoids embarrassing someone who may not be guilty of a crime. 5) Check rear view mirrors For several decades now, retailers have utilized the placement of convex mirrors in their businesses. The mirror allows employees to monitor areas of a business where shoplifting and theft could be carried out, otherwise out of sight. 6) Give an early warning Businesses can beat shoplifting to the punch by placing warning notices near expensive and popular merchandise that warns of the involvement of security or police in the event of theft. 7) Decoy security cameras The cost of installing and regularly watching security cameras requires more resources and upkeep than many retailers can provide. However, dummy cameras are a considerably cheaper alternative that offer nearly the same level of deterrent, and there are numerous businessesthat sell them online. 8) Take action The cost of hiring a lawyer and tackling shoplifting in court can put a real pinch on the wallet. An easier solution is to simply utilize police intervention to give a good scare to any stickyfingered customers that might think of shoplifting again, whether or not you choose to prosecute.

Read more: http://blog.intuit.com/marketing/8-low-cost-ways-to-fight-shoplifting-andtheft/#ixzz2BFpJHSjN Sticky fingers can mean trouble for small businesses. More than $13 billion worth of goods are shoplifted from retailers each year or $35 million a day, according to the National Association for Shoplifting Prevention. The Food Marketing Institute, a group made up of food and pharmaceutical retailers, wholesalers, and regional and independent supermarkets around the globe, commissioned a report last year that found that companies caught an average of 380 shoplifters, each of whom lifted $40 of merchandise per

incident. The most popular items to steal? Health and beauty products, most likely because of their high resale value. That tube of lipstick never looked so good. So what can be done to discourage shoplifting from your business? Here are a few strategies recommended by law enforcement and other resource groups: 1) Train your employees Review your shoplifting policies with them regularly. Teach them to be attentive with customers, such as smiling and asking customers how they can help this lets customers and potential shoplifters know that they are being watched. Familiarize your employees with common shoplifting strategies, such as carrying unusually large bags, staging a distracting commotion or wearing strange or inappropriate clothing, such as a raincoat when its not raining. 2) Take preventative steps This can include installing closed circuit television and hanging up signs warning against shoplifters. Put up mirrors to help your employees see blind spots and other tough corners. If you have fitting rooms, keep the doors locked when not in use. Most shoplifting isnt premeditated: About three quarters of adults and juveniles say they didnt plan to shoplift in advance. 3) Be strategic about how you display your goods Keep your merchandise organized so its easy to see if something is missing. Keep small and expensive items locked or out of reach. Keep pricier items toward the back of the store and away from the exit. 4) Get involved with your community Support your communitys anti-shoplifting campaigns and prevention programs in schools. Its best, of course, to teach people not to shoplift in the first place. Send the message to your customers and community that you take a strong stand against shoplifting.

Read more: http://blog.intuit.com/marketing/how-to-protect-your-business-fromshoplifters/#ixzz2BFpqrANW

Common shoplifting techniques

Hiding the Merchandise

A More Brazen Approach

Favorite Shoplifter Devices

A large open bag is a common shoplifter tool. It is placed at the thief's feet, and objects are casually dropped into it. Be on the lookout for the "bad bag" -a paper bag that is dirty and wrinkled. Also keep an eye out for shopping bags that are not from local stores. Preventing this is why many stores staple bags shut. Other stores require customers to leave their bags by the front door when they come in.

Some shoplifters just grab stuff and walk out with it. They rely on the gullibility an slow response time of sales clerks.

Some shoplifters grab garments from racks close the door and run off. This can be prevented very easily by alternating the directions of hangers. Th makes the hangers "lock up" when someone tries remove many at once.

The really brazen thieves simply walk out with lar items that are not ordinarily put in bags. Prevent Women sometimes use purses to hide stolen items. by making it unusual for legitimate customers to There is little you can do to stop women from carrying purses and handbags. The best prevention in carry out their large purchases, with a policy that large items must these cases is to watch the customers very carefully. The baby carriage or stroller is a great tool for shoplifters. There are always blankets, toys, and other things in strollers (including the baby) that merchandise can be hidden under. Some thieves have even built false bottoms in baby carriages. A newspaper can be used to hide small objects. Umbrellas with handles are handy for shoplifters trying to steal small items. A common tactic is to keep a closed (but not snapped) umbrella hanging on one's elbow or leaning against a counter, and then to drop items into it.

Favorite Shoplifter Clothing

"Crotch-walking" is a technique used by women wearing full skirts and dresses. They simply place the merchandise between their thighs and walk away. Thieves who are good at this have been known to steal hams, typewriters, and other large objects. Baggy clothes in general are good places to hide stolen

http://crimeprevention.rutgers.edu/crime/shoplifting/techniques.htm

Shoplifting

Shoplifting is a big problem for retail businesses. It accounts for over a third of total shrinkage. The table below, from a study conducted by Hayes International, estimates the number of theft incidents and dollars lost to shoplifters:
TIME FRAME EVERY YEAR EVERY DAY EVERY HOUR EVERY MINUTE DOLLARS $9.0 - $10 BILLION $24 - $28 MILLION $1.0 - $1.1 MILLION $16,800 - $19,200 INCIDENTS 290 - 340 MILLION 800,000 - 920,000 33,600 - 38,400 560 - 640

Do you have a problem with shoplifting? You might if your answer is "YES" to any of these questions:
1. 2. 3. 4.

Are parts of your sales floor hidden from your employees' sight? Do most customers walk around for a while before being approached by a sales clerk? Are you short-staffed or are your employees very busy during business hours? Do you often find hangers and price tags on the floor, or ripped-open packages hidden ar your store? 5. Is your store one with an industry-wide problem with shoplifting? These include camera and photography department store drug store men's apparel recorded music and video shoes sporting goods

women's apparel

Shoplifting Prevention Quiz

Take some time to think about your answers to these questions then click on the checkmarks to see what else you might do t prevent shoplifting in your business.

1. What is on display at your store? How close is the display case the entrance/exit of the store?

2. How are you watching the consumers that are present in you store? 3. What are the steps that an employee would take if they were spot a shoplifter inside the store?

4. How often do you offer training to your employees regarding shoplifting, employee theft, and other typesof crimes and disorder that could occur inside and outside of your business?

5. How well do you know your neighbors? Are you on a first-nam basis with them?

6. After a shoplifter is apprehended in your store, do you keep tra of them in any way?
Expensive items should not be in display in the windows unless the items are appropriately locked up. Only one staff member should be given a key to this display at one time. The items on display should not be too close to the entrance/exit of the store, especially if it's the more

desirable products in the store. The closer it is to the entrance/exit, the easier it is for shoplifters to grab it and run. CCTV is good at stopping and catching shoplifters, although it is better at catching than stopping. Be alert at all times, and make sure that employees are alert as well. It is also useful if there is an employee standing at the entrance/exit of the store greeting customers as they enter and exit the store. Personal contact with customers may prevent someone from stealing. The employee make also have a better view of the customers as they leave, and if they spot something suspicious, they will be in the perfect position to address the concern. Many stores use uniformed security guards in this position. Be sure that all employees are properly trained to deal with sitations involving shoplifters. According to Chris E. McGoey, before a person is detained for shoplifting, you must 1. see the shoplifter APPROACH, SELECT, and CONCEAL your merchandise; 2. maintain uninterrupted observation of the shoplifter; 3. see the shoplifter fail to pay for the merchandise; and 4. approach the shoplifter OUTSIDE of the store (although some security experts claim that the shoplifter can be detained inside the store if they are past the cash registers).
Employees should be trained thoroughly and often, and if you have training manuals everyone should get one. Employees should be reminded how serious shoplifting is, because it affects everyone, as well as their own job security and wages.

Shoplifting
Shoplifting is the practice of stealing merchandise from retail establishments. Unfortunately, shoplifting is a serious and persistent problem for most retailers. The results of an annual National Retail Security Survey were reported in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. They found that shoplifting cost retailers an estimated $10 billion

annually and that 30 percent of these losses are the result of organized retail crime. These professional shoplifters are of concern to retailers because they tend to steal higher priced items or work from the inside, through employees. Nonetheless, the fact that 70 percent of shoplifting losses result from unorganized stealing means that attempts to stop these losses must focus on both professional as well as casual shoplifters. Among the most commonly stolen items are tobacco products, athletic shoes, brand-name clothing, small appliances, jewelry, leather goods, and food items. The costs of shoplifting are many. Most obvious of these costs are the losses suffered by retailers. The inventory lost to shoplifters is only part of the retailer's costs. They also absorb the costs of increased security measures and higher legal expenses associated with prosecuting the thieves. But shoplifting also costs the community in which it takes place by affecting store location decision. Stores in high-theft areas will often relocate and in so doing they end up contributing to the deterioration of these troubled areas. Finally, shoplifting costs consumers in terms of higher priced goods. "The cost [of shoplifting] is very high," said business professor Ed Mazze inProvidence Business News. "It cuts into the profit margin of the retailer and is paid for by the consumer. It requires stores to invest in more complex security devices."
PREVENTING THEFT

The first step for retailers hoping to reduce their losses to shoplifting is to create a strong antitheft policy and publicize it among customers and employees alike. In preparing a policy, it is important to note that deterring theft is usually less expensive than apprehending and prosecuting thieves. In addition, retailers must be familiar with the shoplifting laws in their states, particularly in light of recent incidents involving the assault of alleged shoplifters by store security guards. Some states require individuals to exit a store before they can be accused of shoplifting, for example. Experts suggest that small business owners consult with local police or their insurance company to obtain assistance in setting up an antitheft program. In order to address the problem of employee theft, retailers can use integrity questionnaires and conduct reference checks when hiring new employees. In addition, software solutions exist to help retailers detect point-of-sale errors and fraud. Another way that small retailers can help prevent shoplifting is to buy merchandise from established sources. In many cases, professional shoplifters steal from major retail chains and then resell the merchandise to small, local stores. A good rule of thumb is that if you are able to buy merchandise less expensively than a big chain, then it is probably stolen merchandise.

SECURITY MEASURES

Retailers have a number of security measures available to them to help deter potential shoplifters. A good place to start is by training employees to recognize and report suspicious behavior. Visible security measures are another valuable way to deter shoplifters. Security gates in doorways, security cameras in obvious locations, and uniformed security guards patrolling the store are all strong deterrents. Many retailers choose to reduce the temptation to steal by putting items that have high theft rates behind counters or giving them electronic article surveillance (EAS) tags. These methods have drawbacks, however, because limiting customer access to items reduces sales, while applying antitheft tags to items is labor intensive. A relatively new weapon in the fight against shoplifting is the use of source tags. A source tag is a type of EAS tag that is applied by the manufacturerusually inside the container or packagingrather than by the retailer. The usage of source tags is growing, particularly in the areas of health and beauty aids and over-the-counter drugs. Some source tags can be used for both security and inventory control. In the future, the technology might even be used for tracing stolen merchandise that is resold to other stores. "Source tagging helps us provide our valued customers with low-cost products and the perpetual inventory they are looking for," Tom Coughlin, CEO of Wal-Mart USA, told Hallie Forcinio in Pharmaceutical Technology. "It allows us to enhance sales and focus our resources on how we can better serve our customers."
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Feldstein, Mary Jo. "Retailers Turn to Technology to Thwart Bogus Returns." St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 14 December 2005. Forcinio, Hallie. "Electronic Article SurveillanceSource Tag to Smart Tag." Pharmaceutical Technology. October 2000. Mavromatis, K. Alexa. "'Tis the Seasonto Shoplift." Providence Business News. 27 November 2000. "Protect High-Risk Items from Shoplifters." Chain Store Age Executive with Shopping Center Age. June 1998. Seigel, Larry J. Criminology With Infotrac. Thomson Wadsworth, 2005. Wilson, William. "Being Prepared Is the Best Strategy Against Shoplifters and Robbers." Discount Store News. 3 April 2000.

http://www.inc.com/encyclopedia/shoplifting.html

It is a good idea to keep a good working relationship with your neighbors and your local police department. Both can help you in your time of need and can also offer valuable advice about crime in your business. Your neighbors can also alert you when they see something suspicious happening around your business. It is important that you come up with some plan to keep track of shoplifters, because many will steal from the same store over and over. Take a look at the form that is included on this website. You may even check with your neighbors to see if people shoplifting from them have also paid you a visit. The information should include things such as name, age, race, sex, incident time and date, and what items were shoplifted. This will also let you know what items in your inventory are most attractive to shoplifters so you can take special steps to protect this merchandise.

What should employees do?

The best way to prevent shoplifting is also the easiest. Greeting people when they enter the store lets real customers know you are there to help them, and also se strong message to shoplifters -- they are being watched. What else should employees do to prevent shoplifting? What should they not do?

Store Layout

The principles of crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) can be applied to shoplifting prevention. Remember that a shoplifter's job is made much easier with privacy and hidden spots in your store. You can take away both these things by making sure there are good "sight lines" in your store.Click here to see how CPTED applies to DOs robbery prevention.

You can also influence people's opportunities to steal by making it harder for them to get their hands on attractiv and valuable things without you seeing them. 1.

Keep the expensive goods in the back of the sto

2.

DON'Ts

When it comes to preventing shoplifting, Be friendly and helpful the ideas are pretty much the same. to Spend a lot of time talking to other customers employees and not paying attention to the 1. Keep the shelves low enough that your employees customers Keep displays and work areas can see over them 2. tidy Eliminate hidden corners of your store, either through redesign, lights, or Pick up fallen clothing and mirrors Attempt to catch a shoplifter after he or she hangers often has left the store (unless you are specially 3. Elevate the sales counter area to increase Keep the fitting rooms locked (or trained for this) employees' ability to see the store monitor them very closely)

Set up barriers to keep people out of certain are (Look at a picture of this.)

Check the fitting rooms often for clothing, hangers, and ripped-off price tags

Anti-Shoplifting Technology
A wide variety of products exist to help you prevent shoplifting in your store. They range in price and complexity. What is best for you depends on the size of your store, what kind of shoplifting problem you have, and how much money you can afford to spend. Sometimes, a low-tech, inexpensive solution is best. This website discusses a few of the many options available. Click on the links below for more information. Closed-circuit television (CCTV)

Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) Ink Tags

How Anti-Shoplifting Devices Work

Prevent Shoplifting Using Electronic Article Surveillance What businesses does this case study apply to?
The principles discussed in this case study apply to larger retail businesses that allow customers to handle merchandise themselves.

What is the problem?

A chain of 16 large department stores wanted to test whether electronic article surveillance (EAS) would be a cost-effective way to prevent shoplifting. Eight of the stores installed EAS systems, and the management wanted to justify installing it in the remaining eight stores. In the eight stores that installed EAS, it was only in the sections of the store that had the biggest shrinkage problem, such as men's and women's apparel. These two sections accounted for 60% of sales volume and over 70% of store-wide shrinkage. These apparel sections had shrinkage rates of about 3.5%. Other sections of the store, such as children's shoes and housewares had shrinkage rates under 2%--shrinkage was not considered to be such a serious problem. What happened in these eight stores? Did it turn out that EAS was effective in reducing shoplifting in the men's and women's clothing sections? Click here to find out! Click here for more information on electronic article surveillance.
Do you want to read more about this case study? If so, click here.

The Effectiveness of Electronic Article Surveillance Was EAS effective?

In the eight stores that installed EAS, shrinkage went down over the period of the study. In the stores without EAS, shrinkage went up. In the stores with EAS, the drop in shoplifting

in the men's and women's apparel sections was even more than in the store overall. This means that the other sections of the stores actually had an increase in shoplifting.

What is to be learned from this case study?

EAS reduces shoplifting. It may be more cost-effective to use EAS with articles or sections in a store that have high shrinkage rates. If EAS isn't used on all articles in a store, you have to be able to pinpoint sources of shrinkage to tell if EAS is effective. Test your EAS knowledge with these scenarios! Click here for more information on electronic article surveillance. Click here to see some pictures of EAS in action.
Do you want to read more about this case study? If so, click here.

Language: English Country: United Kingdom Annotation: This paper uses three actual case studies to define the quantifiable economic benefits that retailers derive from the use of electronic article surveillance (EAS) equipment as an antishoplifting tool. Abstract: Electronic article surveillance is the term used to describe retail antishoplifting protections systems for both apparel and packaged products; an electronically detectable element (tag) is either pinned onto a garment or affixed by means of an adhesive to the item to be protected. Transmitters and receivers are placed at store exits to detect the presence of the tags as shoppers leave the stores. At the point of purchase, these tags are either removed or rendered inoperative, so that the purchaser may exit the premises without setting off an alarm. The three case studies presented in this article illustrate methods used to collect and examine data relevant to the following questions: Will EAS reduce inventory shortage, and if so, by how much? What is the effect on shortage if EAS is removed and subsequently reinstalled? How can the effects of EAS be measured if the equipment is installed in different locations over a period of years. The most important issue was EAS contributions in reducing inventory shortage. The primary goal of the case study related to this issue was to isolate the inventory shortage statistics, so that EAS user stores could be compared to nonuser stores, and EAS user departments could be compared to nonuser departments. Additionally, statistics were developed to compare the shortages before and after the use of EAS. Findings show that shortage in EAS user departments in user stores decreased about 17 percent during the 5 years of the study. Shortage in the same departments in the non-EAS user locations increased 30 percent during the

same time. Overall shortages decreased in EAS user stores strictly on the strength of the shortage improvement in the user departments. 3 figures and 2 references Main Term(s): Index Term(s): Crime prevention measures/ Shoplifting ; Surveillance equipment ; Security surveillance systems ; Crime specific countermeasures ; Security management

To cite this abstract, use the following link: https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/Publications/abstract.aspx?ID=162428

The Importance of a Good Police Report

By Rui Rodrigues, eHow Contributor

A good police report can either make or break a criminal case. The narrative that is found in a police report will be the core of any investigation and prosecution. Therefore it must provide all of the pertinent details in a flowing and easy-to-follow manner.

Who
o

A police report must identify the victim and the offender. If the offender is unknown, then the report must provide as much detail about him as possible for investigative purposes.

What
o o

A good report must tell the reader exactly what happened.

When
o

The time of the incident must be reported as accurately as possible.

How
o

A good police report must describe how an offense was committed, without going into so much detail that the reader loses sight of the narrative. Reporting the minutiae of any incident is best left to the detectives and crime scene investigators who will file a much more detailed followup to the initial police report.

Where
o

All good reports tell you where the incident occurred in as much detail as possible. An address is not enough if you are able to get the floor and room in which the incident occurred.

Why
o

A good police report tells the reader why the incident occurred, so long as the victim knows why.

Importance of Police Reports

By Joshua Curtiss, eHow Contributor

If you need to deal with the police, you're probably not in a pleasant situation. Perhaps you've been the victim of a crime, or have had an accident. A police report is necessary for all parties involved. Police reports help protect your rights, ensure justice, assist police and judicial proceedings, and prevent false accusations. Looking at when these reports are written helps demonstrate the importance of police reports.

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How to File a Police Report

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Ensuring Justice
o

If you have been a witness to a crime or the victim of a crime, it is important to file a police report. In some cases, witnesses do not want to get involved, and sometimes victims are afraid or are embarrassed about what happened. But a criminal who gets away with one crime is likely to commit another. By not filing a police report, you may help the criminal victimize someone else.

Allowing Follow-Up
o

When an officer fills out a police report, she will obtain contact information for witnesses. If there are further questions or matters needing clarification, the contact information allows the police to return to the witness for a new interview. The period immediately following a crime can be hectic, confused and full of strong emotions that can obscure the facts. If any important evidence or information is overlooked, witness contact information helps officers track it down.
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Preparing for Trial

o

If police charge a suspect with a crime, it can be months before that person goes on trial. During that time, the arresting officer will likely handle many other cases, and witnesses' memory can start to fade. A police report is an important reference at trial, allowing both the prosecution and the defense know what details were reported immediately following the incident.

Establishing Credibility
o

A police report helps establish witnesses' credibility, or lack of it. For instance, a witness may say in a police report that she was at home watching a television show and saw a red car pull away at 10:15 p.m. If the show she claimed to have been watching ended at 9:30 p.m., that might call her credibility into question. This does not necessarily mean that the witness is lying, but it would raise a red flag in the investigation. Further, when such details are recorded in a police report early on, it will be clear if a witness has changed her story.

Fighting Identity Theft

o

If you are a victim of identity theft, it is important to file a police report for two reasons. First, it gives police a place to start in pursuing the crook. And second, a report is usually required for credit card companies or banks to take any action to remove false charges on your accounts.

Filing Insurance Claims

o

If you are involved in a traffic accident, it's essential that you file a police report. You may be in a hurry and would prefer to just call a tow truck, but if you do not file a police report, your insurance company may not reimburse you for damage to your vehicle. Your insurer will want to know the details of the accident, including the identity of the other driver (if there was one) so that it can pursue damages from that person's insurance company if the fault lies with him.

Read more: Importance of Police Reports | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_5344354_importance-policereports.html#ixzz2BG4eisCr

Survey-Please do my survery on shoplifting?

Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire on shoplifting. Gender: M F Age: Under 25 25+

1. Shoplifting is a severe crime. Strongly Agree Agree Unsure Disagree Strongly Disagree 2. Shoplifting will lead to other illegal behavior e.g. Drugs, Thefts of other kinds Strongly Agree Agree Unsure Disagree Strongly Disagree 3. The majority of shoplifters are adults. Strongly Agree Agree Unsure Disagree Strongly Disagree 4. Shoplifters are predominantly female. Strongly Agree Agree Unsure Disagree Strongly Disagree 5. An adolescent has been caught shoplifting, there is a big possibility they come from a low-income family. Strongly Agree Agree Unsure Disagree Strongly Disagree 6. Shoplifting offenders do not reach higher levels of education e.g. college, university. Strongly Agree Agree Unsure Disagree Strongly Disagree 7. Shoplifting is a sign of rebellion against society and/or against family. Strongly Agree Agree Unsure Disagree Strongly Disagree 8. Shoplifting is mainly an impulsive act where no pre-planning has taken place. Strongly Agree Agree Unsure Disagree Strongly Disagree 9. I would want to increase the repercussions of shoplifting. Strongly Agree Agree Unsure Disagree Strongly Disagree 10. I would want to decrease the repercussions of shoplifting. Strongly Agree Agree Unsure Disagree Strongly Disagree You could put quotation marks around your chosen answer. Post your finished survey here or email it to me. Thank you in advance, its really much appreciated.