The Usual Shoplifter Behavior

There are some important behaviors that show that some person might be thinking of stealing.

As a Shopkeeper. You need to trust in your instinct. Shoplifter behaviors can be:

• If they happen to spend more time gazing at the cashier and rest of the staff members than they do at the merchandise.
• Entering and leaving the store without making a purchase quite often.
• Avoiding eye contact.
• Wearing clothing that is not seasonal in the summer season.
• Move in steps which are unbalanced, showing that they are hiding something heavy under their clothing.
• There is no coordination between their eyes and hands.
• Shoplifting means changing a price tag, removing a security gadget, and concealing the item in their bag, removing merchandise from its packaging.
• Shoplifters depend on hiding the items. They often conceal the items in pockets, under their clothes and then leave the shop or the premises.
• They work in conjunction with a group or a partner in a systematic way. One of the shoplifters tries to distract staff’s attention and the others pick up their targeted items and leave during the confusion.
• You need to be wary of both methods.

Preventing Shoplifting Strategies

To recognize and understand the behavior of the average shoplifter is the number one aspect to prevent shoplifting. Step two is to keep an eye and alerting staff.

Previous Offenders Program

You can share information of shoplifters who have been caught with other businesses in the area and motivate them to the same thing.

In case some person has got a previous shoplifting history, but no one is aware of it, it will not assist any person to prevent it. Further shoplifting can be prevented if the photograph of a frequent shoplifter is derived from a security footage and shared with others. This will help prevent further shoplifting.

You can choose to deploy a face recognition service as a super upgrade to your shoplifting curbing measures.

Staff acknowledgment

At least 44 percent of shoplifters mention that they would choose another business in case staff paid good attention to them.

That means if your staff acknowledge them with a hello. This will make the shoplifter aware that someone is keeping an eye on them and that their presence is known.

Know Your Typical Customer

There is always a real customer for your products. Who usually purchases it?

This will not be applicable to every business. However, some merchandise is best for a limited range of people.

For instance, there is a women’s wear shop and some group of boys come inside the store. They might want something else rather than shopping.

You must know every person who is walking in the shop.

Method of Approach

This method is simple. In case you or your staff see some person showing shoplifter behavior, you must approach them and treat them as a regular customer.

You must ask them if they find everything or if they require any help. When you speak to a shoplifter, it can deter him before he commits the crime.

CCTV Video

Security cameras are considered best for loss prevention solutions. If you place cameras that are visible around the store and in high traffic areas, they can deter the shoplifters to a great extent.

If there is anything that enhances the risk of being seen, it will make a thief think twice before they snatch anything into their bag.

You must station the camera monitors where customers can view them so that they know the cameras are not merely for show purposes. A live feed that staff can observe is an effective hindrance than just a camera that records.

If there are observations on them – human and electronic there are less chances that they might indulge in anything criminal. In case they do it, you would have the footage to help in recovery and in apprehending them.

Changes in Store Layout

You must change the store displays, tables, shelves to make sure most areas can be seen by the staff clearly.

Make use of mirrors to enhance visibility and to remove blind spots.

You must always keep product displays at a lower position.

Put the costly items just near to the cashiers.

Find out other stolen items and put them closer to staff and in a locked cabinet door.

Some of the more commonly stolen products are:

• Razors
• Cigarettes
• Video games
• Designer clothing
• Infant formula
• Liquor
• Jewelry
• Strips for teeth whitening

Putting up Anti-Theft Signage

When you place an anti-theft signage “All shoplifters will be Prosecuted”, then it would be highly effective. It makes them aware that you are working to prevent shoplifting and any person who does it will be reported to the police.

Surveillance of Electronic Article

A tag named Electronic Article Surveillance or EAS tag maybe attached to all the clothing articles. Magnetic strips can be placed inside the video games and other electronics packaging.

So, these gadgets may set off an alarm when some person tries to walk away from the store with an EAS still activated.

This is a highly effective way to prevent shoplifting.

Share a Shoplifting Policy

Each staff member must know what to observe, what to do and how to make other members of staff aware. You must write it down and make it a part of employee training and onboarding.

A well trained and informed staff, are your finest solution to make your business protected from shoplifters. EAS devices and video cameras are an awesome second layer of protection. Signage proves to be highly effective to your efforts.

We must take proactive steps to eliminate all risk and lessen our exposure.

You must do something always to ensure you do deter shoplifters.