I have been working with a newsagent on addressing the cost of shopper theft in the business. Here are tips they found useful:
While there are other steps you could take, these seven are most valuable from years of working with retailers in a range of retail channels:
- Look at people as they enter. Make sure they see you see them. Ideally, say hello to them. The more they think you have seen them the better.
- Have a screen near the entrance / exit so people can see that you filming them with your security cameras.
- Work on the shop floor. This puts you or your employees among shoppers and heightens the chance of detection of theft.
- Walk the floor. Every so often, do a circuit. Be present. Talk to people.
- During peak shopping periods, station someone outside the business looking. Ensure they are trained on appropriate action should they see misbehavior.
- Bring in a security guard on a casual basis during your most busy periods.
- Have a no receipt no exchange or refund policy.
The more likely people are to be caught the less likely you are to experience shopper theft.