SHOPLIFTING
METHODS USED TO SHOPLIFT
Palms small articles. Packages , newspapers,
coats, gloves and other things that are carried
in the hand can be used as shoplifting aids.
 Carries an umbrella or other device (such as a
knitting bag, diaper bag, large purse, briefcase,
paper bag, booster box, etc.) to conceal
merchandise.
 Wears bulky, heavy clothing during warm
weather or coats when unnecessary.

Has a slit in the pocket of his outer garment.
This is a boon to the shoplifter. He can place
his hand through the slit so it appears that his
hand is in his pocket. This way he can carry
stolen merchandise in the hand which appears
to be in the pocket.
 Wears a shirt, slacks or other garment with an
elastic waistband or wears “shoplifter
bloomers.”
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Tries on a garment, places his outer garment over the
stolen one and wears your merchandise out of the store.
Has hooks inside his or her coat, slacks, dress or slip.
Hooks come in handy for neatly hanging up and
comfortably transporting stolen goods.
Enters the store without jewelry or accessories, but
wears or carries items of this type when he leaves.
Wears a long outer coat and conceals articles between
his legs.
Walks to an unattended section or one near an exit,
grabs several pieces of merchandise and departs from
the store in a haste.
BEHAVIORAL SIGNS

Shoplifters will:
 Avoid
eye contact
 Appear nervous
 Wander the store without buying
 Leave the store and returns repeatedly
 Linger in a location that employees have a hard
time monitoring
 Constantly keep an eye on store employees and
other customers
PROCEDURES
Do not lose sight of suspect
 Call for security/management personnel
 DO NOT physically try to stop the suspect
 Wait until the suspect leaves the store?

COMMON RETAIL EQUIPMENT
Security towers
 Anti-theft tags on merchandise
 Security Cameras

EQUIPMENT IN THE SCHOOL STORE
A security camera
 Put security sensors on items that are $25 or
more
 Put a security tower near the door.
 Add a phone so you don’t have to leave the
school store to make a call.

PREVENTING OVER CATCHING
Your store wont loose customers
 You wont loose money
 Wont have to pay higher security expenses(if in
a store in a mall)
 You wont be able to catch every shoplifter
 1 out 11 people are shoplifters

WHY EMPLOYEES STEAL
Low expectation of being caught
 High levels of frustration
 Low pay
 Difficult customers
 Long hours

HOW TO PREVENT EMPLOYEE THEFT

Stop by your store without warning.

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Make periodic (yet randomly timed) unannounced visits
to each and every retail location.
Spot-check inventory/drawer.

During unannounced visits, announce: “I’m just doublechecking inventory numbers and doing a register
check.” Pick a few products and check physical
inventory against inventory sheets/POS inventory
figures. If possible, run a cash drawer reconciliation.
Announce: “I’ll be back again soon to run through this
again.” This lets employees know management is
keeping its eye on the everything.

Have an inventory-tracking system.
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Use a POS system that tracks inventory automatically
or, at a minimum, use paper-based inventory-tracking
sheets to send a signal to employees that inventory is
indeed being monitored.
Train employees.

Provide all employees with training on theft-prevention,
both shoplifting and employee theft. Discuss the ways
the company is prepared to detect either.

Encourage anonymous tips.

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Publish a phone number employees can call to leave an
anonymous message if they suspect a co-worker of stealing
product or cash. If employees are aware their co-workers are
watching and could report them, they will be less inclined to
steal.
Check deposits.

Don’t just check if the deposit numbers match the sales
figures. Also check that deposits are being made routinely
and when expected (particularly easy to do through online
banking). If deposits are typically made every day and then
suddenly they are being made every-other day, find out why.

Watch the “no-sales.”
 Many
retail owners know that the leading indicator
of theft is a single piece of data on your x-tape: the
“no sale” number. If a typical day’s no-sale tally is
four, but every time a particular employee works the
tally is 10, there may be a problem.
SAVING MONEY

Check your company culture
 Employee
attitudes will to a large extent be affected
by their employer’s expectations and company
culture

Create incentives
 If
they receive a cash benefit every time they bring
significant savings to the company, they may feel
more ownership and thus be more motivated.

Develop clear frugal strategies
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Respect cultural and personal differences
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But there are two important points with this: make sure
that the goals are realistic, and take your employees
into account. Setting targets without considering your
employees will lead to certain failure.
Before implementing any sort of cost-saving program,
make sure they are doable for your employees and are
unlikely to offend anyone.
Set the example

Show them how to do something vs. telling them
WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY RIGHTS
The right to know and be trained in a safe work
place
 The right to refuse work without being fired or
disciplined
 The right to participate in health and safety
matters
 The right to be provided safety equipment
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