Simple Low Cost Method which Helps Reduce Shoplifting

Can a small simple sign on your entrance door and perhaps strategically placed throughout your store help to reduce profits from walking out your door? Well the answer is yes, well kind of, at least to some degree. Since shoplifting has doubled since 2000 and statistics show that approximately one in ten shoppers is a shoplifter. In other words ten people walk in your doors and start shopping; one of them is stealing. One hundred people enter; ten of them are stealing. You get the idea. Now ask yourself: How many customers do you get per day, week, or month? Although these numbers are averages, and individual locations can vary more or less in their percentages, the dollar amounts can take a large toll on your profit therefore anything you can do to reduce theft should be explored.

 

Although “Anti-theft Signs” may have little effect on the professional shoplifter and only a limited effect on the compulsive thief as these thieves are fully intent on “ripping you off” prior to entering your premises. A well designed sign may have a positive effect in helping to minimize shoplifting by the “Impulsive Shoplifter”. This type of shoplifter can be best described as a person who usually will not steal but may be tempted if a good enough opportunity presents itself. This type of shoplifter represents the majority of the population as most people have been tempted at some point to take something without paying for it. Although the “Impulsive Shoplifter” may feel extremely guilty and remorseful after taking an item, in a moment of weakness and if a good opportunity presents itself, this normally law abiding citizen may be tempted to “try and get away” without paying for merchandise.

 

Unlike with the professional shoplifter, the solution to prevent this type of theft is relatively simple. Even a small amount of shoplifting prevention will be effective Studies indicate if you simply eliminate the opportunity or if a person suspects that they are under any suspicion or surveillance they generally will not be tempted to steal.

 

Will a sign on its own be effective in stopping shoplifting? Possibly not, but when combined with other loss prevention strategies, including a staff well trained in shoplifting prevention an anti-theft sign strategically placed will generally help discourage this type of shoplifting behavior.

 

Therefore even if your business is relatively well protected from shoplifting with various anti-theft devices it is still maybe worth to include anti-theft signage. It only makes sense as another layer of shoplifting protection and best of all it is highly affordable. The cost of signage can easily be offset by helping to prevent one or two shoplifting incidents.

 

Now although you can purchase “shoplifting prevention signs” at your local office store, I suggest that you get creative and either print or purchase something that will be instantly noticed by everyone entering your premises.

Check out samples here



Biography

After losing a business to shoplifting and two years later being a victim to a shoplifting assault FJ Tarasoff made a commitment that he would help retailers protect their assets as well as the safety of all staff members. Twenty years later, Tarasoff is a leading authority in retail loss prevention, he conducts training workshops on various loss prevention techniques, including shoplifting and intenal theft and is the developer of “The Shoplifting Prevention Program” an affordable online training program. He has also been interviewed by numerous media outlets including, The CBC, The Globe and Mail, Small Business report, Hardware Magazine, Grocer Magazine, GlobeandMail.Com, Canadian Retailer and is a member of Retail Loss Prevention professionals Group, Security and Loss Prevention for Retail Industry and the UK Loss Prevention Group.

For more information go to http://www.shopliftprevention.com

or email: info@shopliftprevention.com