Did you know shoplifting accounts for a nearly $47 billion annual loss to the retail industry?

So, what’s a retail business owner to do?

It may surprise you to learn that shoplifting prevention is easier and more cost-effective than you think. And there are methods you can put into place today.

Let’s look at 8 smart and easy prevention tips that can help you fight shoplifting in your retail business.

1. Keep Everything Neat and Organized

If your store is a mess or disorganized, how would you be able to tell if anything is missing?

Chances are, you wouldn’t. The mess is a shoplifter’s best friend.

Plus, a messy store tells a shoplifter that your employees aren’t paying attention, which opens the door to anyone who may have the urge to pocket anything.

Pull merchandise to the edge of the displays to create a “wall” of product. That will make it more obvious if anything goes missing.

Keep all displays, racks, and selves orderly. Have an employee make regular sweeps of the sales floor to tidy things up.

2. Get Technology on Your Side

There are many types of anti-theft technology available today. There’s something for every business at any budget.

And having that extra level of security can help save you hundreds, or thousands, in the prevention of stolen goods. Not to mention the money it can save on your insurance premiums.

Security cameras are a major deterrent for shoplifters. They can watch your store day and night, capturing images of theft and those committing the crime.

Anti-theft tags placed on high-value merchandise are also very effective. Along with security towers placed at the store entrance to monitor anything that may be snuck out.

Check out this article to read more about security tags.

3. Effective Store Design and Layout

A well thought out store design can be a powerful tool against shoplifting. By minimizing the opportunity to steal, your design and layout can play in your favor.

Place your checkout near the exit so that customers have to pass by it to leave. This allows employees to better see who enters and exits your store.

Minimize blind spots at all cost. Place mirrors in corners that may be easy to hide in. Keep displays and racks low for easier visibility. And place good lighting throughout the store.

It may also be a good idea to keep more expensive merchandise clocked up in cabinets.

4. Monitor Dressing Rooms

Dressing rooms are easy places to hide and stash goods away, especially if they are wide open to wander in and out at will. That’s why it’s best to restrict their access and have policies in place.

Keep all dressing rooms locked when not in use. A customer will need to ask for one, which enables an employee to know who is in there and what exactly they took in with them.

It may also be a good idea to have a limit on how many articles of clothing a customer can take in with them at one time. Because the more they take into a dressing room, the easier it is to sneak something away unnoticed.

5. Use Great Customer Service

Your employees can be your greatest asset. Shoplifters are known for avoiding stores who offer consistent quality customer service. And not only does it deter shoplifting, it’s just good business!

Have your employees greet every customer that comes into the store. Door sensor chimes can help with this. By acknowledging their presence, it will make someone less likely to shoplift.

Also, ensure you have enough floor staff scheduled during opening hours. Depending on the size of your store, you want to make sure there are plenty of “eyes and ears” to monitor customer activity throughout the day.

And train all staff to be able to recognize suspicious behavior. Teach them what to watch for in shoplifters themselves, monitor price tag switching, and what they should do if an issue comes up.

6. Post Anti-Theft Signage

It may seem like the use of signs is all show, but studies have proven anti-theft signage deters shoplifting more than you may think. Just like a security sticker in a home window, signs show that you are aware and have a system in place.

Your signs can advertise the fines and charges you will seek for all shoplifters, as well as the types of security methods you have in place. Displaying them around your more expensive merchandise will help those who may be thinking about shoplifting to think again.

7. Watch for Suspicious Behavior

Simply knowing what signs and behaviors to watch for can be a huge weapon in the fight against shoplifting.

It’s important not to profile shoplifters. Thieves come in every shape, size, color, age, and gender. So, don’t discount someone based on appearance alone.

Many shoplifters will act nervous. They may watch employees and people around them more than browsing the merchandise itself. This could even include grabbing merchandise randomly without much rhyme or reason to it.

They also like to shop in groups. With at least one of them distracting employees while the other steals the merchandise.

8. Use a Strict Return Policy

You don’t think of returned items as being a form of shoplifting. But abuse of your return policy can add up to a big monetary loss for your business.

If you allow people to return merchandise for any reason at any time, you could be setting yourself up for loss.

Make sure customers have a receipt when returning an item. Without it, it’s easy for shoplifters to take something, then simply return it for money or store credit later on.

Also, have a specific policy in place. Restrict the length of time something can be returned, the condition it needs to be in, and even the type of merchandise isn’t eligible for return. Ensure the policy on display and printed on the receipts so that it’s clear.

Shoplifting Prevention Can Be Easy and Cost Effective

Shoplifting prevention doesn’t have to be an expensive and overwhelming process. When you know what to look for and how to deter it, it can become a seamless part of your business routine that will save you money. Not to mention the peace of mind it will give you.

Looking for more useful tips? Explore our blog!