Express Stores
Reducing Shoplifting
The Problem

What can Express
#892 do to reduce
shoplifting?
Background


Express Stores
nationally have lost
over 2.5 million
dollars so far this
year from shoplifting
Express Castleton
location has recently
seen an increase in
shoplifting
Form of Research


Review of shoplifting literature
Performed survey of Express #892
employees on shoplifting prevention
Research findings: Causes for
Shoplifting

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Rite of passageteenagers
Drug use-resell
stolen items for a
quick fix
Organized ringsresell designer labels
on the black market
Research findings: Red Flags


Most shoplifters often
give off signs they are
up to no good
Employees must keep an
eye on:
1. Customers who keep their
hands low
2. Opened packages and purses
3. Customers who appear
nervous or ask a lot of
questions (distraction)
Research findings: Be aware
of methods
Anyone can be a shoplifter, so
employees need to be aware at all
times
 Popular Methods:
Use of bulky clothing, packages, and
large sacks.
The “accidental drop” method
The “brazen” method

Research findings: Better
Employee Training

Stores should hold monthly meetings
over possible shoplifting scenarios and
prevention
 Most employees do not know what to
expect when faced with a shoplifter
 Most employees are uninformed
about shoplifting in general
Employee Training Cont’d.
Many employees do not know
how to respond appropriately!
A cohesive plan of action is
the key to catching a thief!
 Should call police and alert
other employees/store
manager immediately
Employee Training Cont’d.


Training should include store
policies and state laws concerning
shoplifting
Training should include warning
signs and methods of shoplifters

An informed employee is the best
employee
Research findings: Store
Methods to Reduce Shoplifting






Staff training
Cameras
Security tags (ink tags, RFID tags, EAS
tags, etc.)
Mirrors
Limit number of items in fitting room
Remove large fixtures from sales floor,
allows better viewing of customers
Research findings: More Ways
to Reduce Shoplifting




Alternate hangers in opposite directions
Put expensive merchandise in the
middle of the store
Have an employee at the front of the
store at all times
Have displays low to see the whole
store (reduce blind spots)
Get personal: Communicate!


Acknowledge each customer by
greeting them
Check up on customers to see if
they need assistance
 Shoplifters do not want to
talk to an employee in
fear of being caught
 Communication is a great
deterrent
Our Recommendations
Install security cameras (CCTV)
Removal of large fixtures from
store entrance (eliminate blind
spots)
Implement monthly store
trainings on shoplifting prevention
Recommendations Cont’d.



Increase number of tagged items
Consistently have employees on
the sales floor to assist customers
A fitting room attendant should be
present at all times
Innovations to prevent
Shoplifting
Electronic Tagging and Digital InStore Surveillance Improvements
Innovations in Electronic
Tagging



Source tagging with Electronic Article
Surveillance or “EAS” for short.
EAS involves placing anti-theft labels
inside the product during the
manufacturing process instead of at the
store.
Source tagging eliminates the need to
apply and remove tags at the store.
Other Innovations in Electronic
Tagging


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Tagging products with Radio Frequency
Identification devices or “RFID” for short.
RFID tags replace standard bar codes with
electronic tags that track retail goods
throughout the apparel supply chain.
RFID tags allow for “smart shelf” technology
where a individual product’s movement from
a shelf is captured.
Innovations in In-Store
Surveillance


Many retailers are opting for in-store
surveillance with digital alternative to
outdated videotapes.
These digital tapes allow for easier
preservation of a file, more so than an
actual video cassette.
Benefits of Using These AntiTheft Innovations

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EAS tags allow retailers to place anti-theft devices on a wider
range of products.
EAS tags allow employees to watch shoppers more often
because they are not busy applying and removing tags.
RFID tags allow retailers to better track product movement.
RFID helps identify the objects that were taken off the shelf, put
back on the shelf, taken into the dressing rooms, and returned
form the dressing rooms.
Basically with RFID retailers can trace certain batches of goods
quicker and know which goods are off the shelves. This reduces
“shrinkage” by making it harder for goods to disappear.
In-store surveillance improvements help cover frequent areas
of high theft better. They also allow for better coverage of the
cash register, which reduces employee theft.
Concerns With Using These
Innovations

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Source tagging with EAS creates higher costs for
product vendors and for retailers forced to replace
current functioning tagging systems.
RFID tags have privacy campaigners concerned that
this technology could be used to monitor the
whereabouts of customers and for building profiles of
customers’ shopping preferences. Some also worry
about the continued tracking of products even after it
has reached the consumers home.
Concerns over digital video surveillance includes the
high cost of implementation and training
requirements.