How to Prevent Shoplifting this Holiday Season
It isn’t just sales and store traffic that increase during the holiday season. Shoplifting increases as well. According to the Retail Holiday Season Global Forecast report by Checkpoint Systems, 37% of a store’s shrinkage occurs during the holiday season. This includes losses from employee theft, fraud, and shoplifting.
The report also details the ten most commonly shoplifted items during the holiday season:
- Electronics accessories (such as mobile phone cases, adapters, etc.)
- Leather clothing
- Electronics
- Clothing accessories
- Winter clothing
- Meat and seafood
- Alcohol
- Perfume and cologne
- Children’s toys
- Gourmet chocolate
As you can see, these items are primarily smaller items that can easily be slipped into a bag or worn out of the store. Since the holiday season is a busier time for many retail stores, criminals often steal during this season as they are less likely to be caught in the act by busy or preoccupied staff.
However, the fact that many stores are more crowded during the holiday season isn’t the only reason for the increase in shoplifting.
Why Shoplifting Increases During the Holiday Season
As mentioned, one reason for the increase in shoplifting during the holidays is because retail stores are more crowded during this time of year. Criminals know that staff will be busy dealing with customers and other responsibilities during this time, so they will be less likely to be able to keep an eye on everyone who walks into the store. Thieves take advantage of this situation to shoplift.
However, crowded stores are not the only reason for an increase in shoplifting during the holiday season. Economic pressures and the pressure to purchase holiday gifts can also cause people to risk committing a crime at this time of year when they wouldn’t attempt to do so otherwise. A person is more likely to try to steal an item when they’re giving it as a holiday gift than if they’re taking it for another reason at another time of year.
How You Can Prevent Shoplifting at your Retail Store This Holiday Season
Shoplifting costs retail stores a great deal. Therefore, it’s not just important to take the time and effort to reduce or prevent shoplifting, but it’s also cost-effective to do so. The costs that you spend on improving security will likely still be less than you could potentially lose to shoplifters.
One way that you can prevent shoplifting is to ensure that store staff remains diligent in watching all customers in the store as they shop. You may need to hire additional staff during the busy holiday season to ensure that this happens, but it will be worth it.
It’s also crucial that you train your staff on how to properly deal with suspected shoplifters. Staff should be taught to make eye contact with and to welcome every person who walks into the store. Staff should also check in with customers who have been in the store for a while without making a purchase and with those who are acting in a suspicious manner. This lets potential criminals know that they are being watched and drastically reduces shoplifting.
Finally, small yet expensive items that are commonly stolen should be stored in locked cabinets or behind secure gates. Using physical security tools can reduce shoplifting as customers will need to ask store staff in order to access an item. This makes it nearly impossible for them to take the item when no one is looking.
Want some more helpful tips to improving the security of your business? Download our helpful guide to Improving Your Security Mindset.
