Shoplifting costs retail businesses billions of dollars in lost inventory every year. Aside from that, the cost of loss prevention teams, court costs, and law enforcement costs society as a whole even more money. Shoplifting inflates prices and costs honest consumers their hard-earned money, and law enforcement has to be paid for with increased taxes. Preventing shoplifting is important to any retail business, but many methods can be ineffective and expensive.
One of the least expensive methods of prevention is the use of a security convex mirror. These mirrors allow store personnel greater visibility when scanning the area for suspicious behavior. They also deter shoplifters from even attempting the crime by making them feel as if they are being watched. Convex mirrors are easy to install and use, and cost businesses very little, making them idea for small businesses with a lower loss prevention budget.
Some businesses also have signs placed around the store reminding shoplifters that they will be prosecuted, and sometimes stating the amount of possible fines or jail time. These signs can be very effective in stopping impulsive shoplifters from committing the crime, but do little to discourage those who entered the store with the intent to steal.
Strategic methods such as counting items of clothing before allowing customers to enter dressing rooms can be very effective. Clerks should be trained to actually take the items and count them, then return them to the customer. Thieves will often drape items over their arms with the items they wish to steal hidden in between, so this method leaves no doubt as to how many items are actually entering the dressing rooms. There should also be an employee monitoring bathrooms so that customers aren’t allowed to enter with merchandise. Generally speaking, training store clerks to be vigilant and aware of the signs of potential shoplifters can be very effective. If they seem aware and are paying attention to customers, shoplifters will feel as though their actions are being observed and will be hesitant to steal anything with employees lurking about. Prevention is usually a better solution than trying to catch a criminal after the act has occurred.