2. As a former Loss Prevention Detective, Joe Buchwald
knows that retail theft is an ever-present concern for
business owners. In addition to taking basic steps like
greeting all customers and keeping merchandise well away
from entrances and exits, here are some strategies that
businesses can consider to prevent loss.
3. 1. Pay special attention to customers purchasing several
identical items. Potential thieves often rely on cashiers
scanning only one of the items several times rather than
each item individually. This can allow the consumer to
hide higher value items among many lower value items,
or to switch the stock-keeping unit (SKU) number of the
item to be scanned for a lower value SKU. Cashiers
should always scan each item being purchased separately,
no matter how many there are, and check to make sure
the scan matches each item.
4. 2. Carefully check carts containing large items. As large
or heavy products are often scanned in the cart rather
than unloaded onto the counter, they provide ideal cover
for other smaller items to be hidden behind or under
them.
5. 3. Provide thorough staff training and regular retraining
sessions. Often, stores experience loss not through theft,
but through unintentional employee error such as
improper coupon scanning or incorrectly processed
refunds. Ensuring that all employees are properly trained
will help prevent them making mistakes, and make them
more alert to potential errors from their colleagues.
6. Formerly a Loss Prevention Detective with Macy’s, Joe
Buchwald is now the Northeast Region Business
Development Manager at GOGO Worldwide Vacations.
