Give Shoplifters an Uneasy Feeling

"With "good behavior", van der sloot might only serve 1/2 of his 28 year sentence and with Peruvian jail overcrowding..." — @ClintVanZandt

Page 1 of 11

On 10.25.09—By Dr. Clint Van Zandt

Here are a few tips on how to deter would-be shoplifters in your business.

Instruct employees to greet or acknowledge every customer who enters their department.
Provide personal customer service to as many customers as possible.
Instruct floor personnel to make frequent eye contact with customers who wish to browse on their own.
Assign zones for staff coverage so that floor personnel don’t leave vulnerable areas unattended.
Instruct floor personnel to make a pleasant comment to every customer about the item(s) being taken into the fitting room, so that the customer is aware.
Maintain 100 percent compliance when placing security tags on vulnerable merchandise.
Install added security measures in “blind spots” around the store (e.g., bright lighting, security mirrors, anti-shoplifting signs, and camera).
Lower displays around the cash register that block the cashier’s view of the selling floor.
If your store is large in size, make frequent announcements over the public address (PA) system, such as “Security to area 4,” even if your store doesn’t have security personnel or an area 4.
Issue a criminal trespass warning to all known shoplifters who you want to be prohibited (by law) from entering your store again. Let shoplifters know, by work and deed, that your store prosecutes all offenders.
Encourage a close working relationship between employees and loss prevention personnel.