To learn more about protecting your store against shoplifting see here, or view our range of security tags and security labels as part of Electronic Article Surveillance that can assist in reducing shoplifting by up to 80 per cent.

We might only be a couple of months into 2020, but already a couple of trends are emerging in the arena of retail asset protection and loss prevention. Some carry over from previous years but a couple are only just beginning to really make their presence felt.

So, let’s look at a couple of trends that are impacting asset protection and shaping the retail sector in 2020…

Over the next six weeks, loss prevention will rank as one of the most important areas of focus for bricks and mortar stores as the sector looks to optimize retail’s peak period and prevent shoplifting.

In addition to strategies like electronic article surveillance and CCTV, staff awareness of what to be on the lookout for will play a critical role in reducing the spike in shoplifting that’s likely to occur.

But what constitutes suspicious behaviour and what should staff be aware of? Here are ten signs of suspicious shoplifting behaviour that all retail staff should know.

Avoidance

According to experts, body language is a key clue a shoplifting crime is about to take place. Potential shoplifters will often avoid eye contact and interaction with staff, may appear nervous, or fidget.

Meanwhile, if a customer spends more time looking up and around a store, rather than focusing and deciding on items, it’s a clear sign they are scoping the retail outlet for staff presence and security cameras, rather than perusing items they intend to legitimately buy.

Excess baggage

A couple of shopping bags are pretty normal for customers in a retail outlet, excess baggage like a backpack or an overly large handbag is not.

Large bags are often ideal for concealing items, and some even feature hidden panels to hide products or foil to interfere with older EAS.

Overly clothed

Even in winter, it’s rare that a customer will need to wear heavy and multiple layers of clothing within a climate-controlled retail environment. If they are, it is considered another key clue that someone’s intentions are less than honorable.

Excess clothing can be used to secrete stolen items, so anyone who is layered up should be observed carefully.

Regular visits, few purchases

Many shoplifters will often scope a store prior to committing the crime of shoplifting. That means they may visit an outlet on more than one occasion in order to get a feel for what items are available, how effective the security is and how attentive staff are.

If a consumer regularly visits an outlet without making a purchase, they might be more interested in what they can target rather than what they can buy.

Distraction

Often shoplifting involves more than one offender and between them their aim is to distract staff while stealing items.

If a customer is asking a lot of unusual questions, that can be a sign something’s not right. Meanwhile, a common tactic is to ask for items that are out of stock and request the staff member checks the storeroom, giving the “customer” the opportunity to steal.

Split groups

On that note, staff should watch for groups of people who enter the store and then split up or groups who assemble outside a shop.

These can be clues swarming is about to occur, or that they have the intention of implementing the distraction tactic.

Examining, but not buying

Although many customers love window shopping or browsing, there’s a distinct difference between that and biding time before committing a theft.

If a customer seems to be picking a lot of items up and then putting them down again without really engaging with the product, that might be an indicator their actual attention lies elsewhere.

Quick exits

They may not run, but most shoplifters will try to make a quick exit as they attempt to steal an item. Watch for customers who make a beeline for the exit, and who fail to interact with staff as they do.

Too many in the changeroom

Out of sight of sales associates, the change room is a key area where theft takes place. Stores should limit each cubicle to one person, count items in and out, and implement advanced technology like the Fitting Room Guard.

Loose price tags

Some shoplifters don’t just steal an item outright, they commit the theft by swapping tags to pay less than they should.

If a price tag doesn’t look right, or looks tampered with, this can be a key indicator a swap has taken place.

The final word

While there’s no one type of shoplifter and people from all races and walks of life can potentially be a thief, educating staff on the suspicious behaviour that often accompanies the crime goes a long way to identifying and preventing theft.

Staff should also be attentive to customers in general, while additional security measures such as EAS, CCTV, loss prevention personnel and good store layout can also be employed.

But one thing’s for sure, with peak period pending, peak shoplifting season is also underway.

You can directly purchase EAS security tags and labels here.

When talk turns to Electronic Article Surveillance, the focus is often on its role in reducing theft. But in the competitive world of real-world retail, the benefits of EAS extend far beyond deterring and detecting shoplifting.

EAS can also improve the customer experience, general store safety and staff productivity. So, here’s an insight into six hidden benefits of EAS.

The customer experience

In the modern retail environment, the “customer experience” allows bricks and mortar retailers to play to their strengths. A positive customer experience sees consumers touching, feeling and interacting with products as part of their purchasing journey.

EAS helps facilitate this experience by allowing retailers to securely showcase their wares in an open and welcoming environment without the fear of theft.

Due to the discreet, unobtrusive nature of security tags and labels, customers can freely interact with merchandise, while the store associate can concentrate on selling rather than standing guard against shoplifting.

Open display of stock

When it comes to shoplifting, high-value products that are easily re-sold are some of the most commonly targeted items.

Traditionally retailers protected these products by keeping them secured in lockable cabinets or displays. While this method was effective, it’s not exactly welcoming and also costs the retailer time and effort.

Instead, EAS allows the open display of items, providing easy access and an attractive experience, in the knowledge each item is protected by tags or labels at a product level.

Staff productivity

The beauty of EAS is that it alerts staff to a potential theft by sounding an alarm. This allows retailers to get on with the job of selling and serving their consumers, rather than constantly monitoring stock or analyzing surveillance footage.

EAS also cuts down on time wasted opening and closing lockable cabinets or displays.

Fewer out of stocks

When items randomly go missing due to theft, retailers lose their ability to keep track of stock. Ultimately this can result in products being out of stock, which again affects the experience of the customer and the productivity of staff.

EAS helps reduce out of stock events by ensuring the product is available.

Improved store safety

Unobtrusive and effective, EAS helps benefit the store environment as a whole. It works to deter shoplifters from targeting a retail outlet, but also helps catch them in the act should they run the risk of attempting a theft.

This improves the safety of the retail outlet as a whole for both staff and customers.

Easy to operate

Once an EAS system has been installed and activated, it is simple for staff to use. The antennas run 24/7 and require very little maintenance.

Staff simply affix active security tags or labels to a product, which then communicate with an antenna. These tags and labels are quickly and easily detached or deactivated at the Point of Sale as part of the sales transaction.

Tags can be reused, while deactivated labels are disposable and pass through the security antenna without sounding an alarm.

The final word

EAS is renowned by retailers across the globe as one of the most effective methods of preventing theft, with statistics indicating it can reduce stock loss by up to 80 per cent.

In the interim, it also reduces the burden on staff when it comes to detecting theft, helps create a safer more welcoming environment and allows consumers to freely interact with merchandise, affording them an improved customer experience.

You can learn more about selecting the right EAS system for your retail outlet here.

In the ever-changing playing field of loss prevention, positioning of security systems and products plays a major role. From where you position your antenna to how you position security labels and lay out your displays, it all adds up to create an environment designed to thwart the would-be shoplifter.

Not only does correct positioning help deter shoplifting and minimise loss, it also works to improve in-store efficiency and the customer experience.

So, here’s an insight into the role position plays in theft prevention.

A bit about position and theft prevention

When it comes to product protection, electronic article surveillance consistently ranks as one of the most effective ways to deter, identify and reduce shoplifting. Involving the components of security tags, security labels and detection antenna, it sees an alarm sound when a product is illicitly leaving the store.

The effectiveness of this system all comes down to positioning – of the antenna, the security tags and labels, and the equipment that detaches tags and deactivates labels to minimize false alarms.

Meanwhile, the physical layout of your store also helps to reduce theft, with the correct positioning of lighting and displays both working to provide an environment that is less conducive to theft.

So, what’s the best practice?

EAS antenna position

EAS antenna are usually positioned in the entry way to a store, although recent developments mean antenna can now also be built into the doorway, concealed beneath the floor or installed overhead.

Depending on whether the system is RF or AM, antenna will have different detection ranges, meaning some are more suited to wide entrances, while others will require the installation of additional antenna to adequately cover an expansive opening.

Product positioning around antenna

The area between and in the immediate vicinity of EAS antennas should be kept free of product displays, clothing racks and even decorations. (Some decorations, especially those with foil or metal have been known to trigger an EAS alarm).

The “No Tag” zone is generally within seven feet of the EAS system.

As a simple check, stretch your arms out, like you are doing a star jump, and make sure there are no security tags within, or just out of your reach, all around each pedestal.

In over 90 per cent of reported cases of false alarming, alarms are caused by a tag within the vicinity.

Security tag position

Used for apparel and high value items like accessories, footwear and handbags, security tags should be positioned so as not to interfere with the customer’s experience of a product, but in a place where they are easy for staff to detach.

At the same time, tags should also be situated in an obvious enough place to deter theft and ensure anyone attempting to pull them off will cause significant damage to a product, rendering it useless.

Many retailers have store guides and policies regarding tag positioning. This ensures they are consistently positioned uniformly and correctly in a bid to maintain the aesthetic appeal of store displays, while deterring shoplifting.

Security label position

The ideal position for a security label is near the barcode. This position allows for quick deactivation and maximum efficiency at the Point of Sale.

However, it’s important to ensure the security label does not obscure that barcode or essential information on the product packaging.

Detacher and deactivator position

Security tag detachers and label deactivators are best positioned at the Point of Sale, allowing for easy tag removal and label deactivation.

Tag detachers can be built into the countertop or affixed to it, while deactivators can be mounted to the counter, concealed beneath it or incorporated into barcode scanning equipment.

Retailers should ensure these detachers and deactivators are easily accessible to staff, and there are enough to service all Points of Sale.

Store layout

Proper store layout and staff positioning plays a critical role in the reduction of shoplifting and theft. All areas of the floor should be visible to staff members monitoring it, and the retail environment should be adequately lit so there are no dark spaces for shoplifters to lurk and conceal items.

A staff member should monitor the fitting rooms or additional EAS security like the Fitting Room Guard should be installed. Where possible staff should meet and greet customers at the entry of a large retail outlet, or on the floor of a smaller one.

Meanwhile, high value items like electronics should be securely displayed or enclosed in lockable cabinets, and excess stock should be locked in draws or cabinets.

The final position

It’s the little things that really add up when it comes to preventing shoplifting, and how and where you position your products, security systems and tags all play a role. Importantly correct positioning also allows staff to complete their tasks more effectively while better servicing the shopper and offering an improved customer experience.