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I discourage direct customers from quickly pushing shopping carts full of unpaid items out of the store door, intentionally not scanning all items at the self checkout, hiding the items and leaving the store without paying. I’ve seen Retail security experts understand that the problem of retail theft is an ongoing problem.
Theft isn’t just a problem for brick-and-mortar stores, it’s also a problem for online retailers with distribution centers, the vehicles that transport goods from centers to customers, and the people who deliver goods.
To explore these issues and solutions, the Security Industry Association (SIA) hosted a Vertical Insights Symposium: Retail Security online session on November 8th with eight security experts. This included a keynote address by Kennarios Kirk, Sr., Senior in Logistics Ross, his Regional His Manager. Amazon prevention. Kirk previously worked in the asset protection divisions of Ross, Rite Aid, and Target.
Organized Retail Crime
While some shoplifters steal merchandise for personal gain, many of them are criminal enterprises that steal merchandise in various locations and sell it online. is part of the Organized Retail Crime (ORC) ring. They use stolen credit cards and return stolen goods for cash or gift cards, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).
“I think organized retail crime is real and will continue,” says Kirk. “To combat organized retail crime, we must continue to do everything within our power and within our jurisdiction. It also impacts the organization’s brand.”
As for Amazon, Kirk pointed to the company’s seller policy and counterfeit crime division. “I think some of the work that the Counterfeit Crime Unit did had a big impact on the business as a whole and some of the opportunistic resellers,” he explained.
secondary economy
During the SIA seminar, speakers explained that ORC will create a secondary economy, a limitless digital marketplace with lower prices than traditional retail and no tax revenue or employment benefits.
The Retail Industry Leaders Association reports that ORC will result in $125.7 billion in lost economic activity, 658,375 lost jobs and $39.3 billion in wages and benefits paid to workers. In addition, the federal and state governments have lost approximately $15 billion in personal and business tax revenues, not including sales tax revenue losses.
As a result, ORC can close grocery stores and pharmacies, depriving communities of goods and services. This is hitting communities that depend on tax revenues for road maintenance, emergency management services, and other government programs, and on retail to provide jobs.
growing problem
The NRF reports that retail store theft is a $94.5 billion problem, based on 2021 stats based on the latest available stats from $90.8 billion in 2020. A recent survey found that 71% of retailers reported an increase in ORC and employee theft since COVID-19 began. .
Kirk said there are similarities between physical and online thefts among retailers:
- oak ring. These companies have plans on how to take advantage of different situations.
- Barriers to prosecutionSome state or city laws prevent shoplifters from being prosecuted for felonies based on the amount of merchandise stolen. For example, in California, shoplifting is charged as a misdemeanor if the value is less than $950.
- Employee theft. Some employees of brick-and-mortar stores and distribution centers of online retailers steal products and money.
- Supply chain vulnerabilities. Sometimes goods don’t reach their intended location because people steal the items along the way, such as in a railroad car.
More importantly, retail store theft costs lives. According to his 2021 stats from D&D Daily, he had 595 deaths that year, including 317 customers, 152 retailers, 108 suspects and 18 security professionals.
solution
When it comes to how retailers fight crime, brick-and-mortar security experts should recommend the following solutions to upper management.
- Refreshed designPut expensive items in the back and reduce the items on the sales floor.
- More cases and devices. Locking items in display cases or attaching security devices directly to items, both require staff to assist customers.
- Change your shopping cart. Lock the wheels if the cart does not go through the checkout to prevent stolen items from being pushed out. Consider setting the required returnable rental rate to ensure that the customer can bring the cart home from the parking lot.
- Increase parking security. It uses artificial intelligence cameras to identify suspicious groups and weapons, and license plate recognition technology to better monitor people entering the premises.
- Review cash handling procedures. Find out when and how your employees handle cash.
- Strengthen entrance security. Place a security expert at the entrance.
- Reduced night hours. Consider closing at 5pm or 6pm instead of 9pm
- Install the bollard. This prevents customers from driving and stealing items into your store.
For last-mile carriers like FedEx, UPS and Amazon, Kirk said they have specialized training in dealing with package theft and hijacking.
Security professionals at both last-mile carriers and physical retailers should recommend management.
- Continue to build public-private partnerships with law enforcement agencies.
- Ask law enforcement agencies to transfer ORC cases to stricter jurisdictions.
- Create training on the threat of violence and active shooters.
- Assess security vulnerabilities.
- Join your local ORC alliance or law enforcement and retailer coalition to build your network.
Security professionals must continue to find ways to take advantage of the latest technology and work with law enforcement to reduce retail theft. To watch the entire SIA Symposium on demand for free, click here.
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