NCJ Number
65946
Journal
Security Management Volume: 24 Issue: 3 Dated: (MARCH 1980) Pages: 6-8,56-59
Date Published
1980
Length
7 pages
Annotation
DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON LOSSES IN SUPERMARKETS CAUSED BY SHOPLIFTING AND ON PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO INHIBIT THESE LOSSES BOTH BY SHOPPERS AND STORE EMPLOYEES.
Abstract
LOSSES IN SUPERMARKETS HAVE REACHED MONUMENTAL PROPORTIONS. INDUSTRY SOURCES REPORT THAT 48 PERCENT OF ALL CUSTOMERS SHOPLIFT AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, WHILE 58 PERCENT OF ALL EMPLOYEES ALSO OCCASIONALLY SHOPLIFT. EMPLOYEE THEFT OF ALL KINDS, INCLUDING SHOPLIFTING, CASH SHORTAGES, AND INVENTORY LOSSES, ACCOUNTS FOR 66 PERCENT OF A SUPERMARKET'S TOTAL SHRINKAGE. RECENT STUDIES SHOW THE AVERAGE SUPERMARKET SHOPLIFTER AS TYPICAL OF SHOPLIFTERS IN GENERAL: 70 PERCENT ARE UNDER 30 YEARS OLD AND MALE JUVENILES PREDOMINATE; THE AVERAGE SUPERMARKET SHOPLIFTER TAKES 3.2 ITEMS WITH A TOTAL AVERAGE VALUE OF $6.39. SECURITY MEASURES FOUND TO SUCCESSFULLY DETER SHOPLIFTING IN SUPERMARKETS INCLUDE INVOLVING THE EMPLOYEES ACTIVELY IN STORE SECURITY BY GIVING THEM GREATER RESPONSIBILITIES FOR CERTAIN AISLES OR PRODUCTS, LETTING EMPLOYEES KNOW THEY ARE APPRECIATED FOR SECURITY CONSCIOUSNESS, TRAINING EMPLOYEES TO WATCH FOR TYPICAL SHOPLIFTERS AND TO WATCH SHOPPERS AS THEY MOVE THROUGH THE AISLES, REMOVING EMPTY BOXES IMMEDIATELY, DISPLAYING WARNING SIGNS ABOUT PROSECUTION OF SHOPLIFTERS, AND INSTALLING SECURITY DEVICES IN APPROPRIATE PLACES THROUGHOUT THE STORE. THESE DEVICES INCLUDE TWO-WAY MIRRORS, CAMERAS, SPECIALLY DESIGNED SENSING DEVICES ATTACHED TO HIGH PILFERAGE ITEMS, AND SPECIAL DEVICES ATTACHED TO SHOPPING CARTS. HIRING UNDERCOVER DETECTIVES ALSO HELPS, AS WELL AS DESIGNING STORE LAYOUTS TO DETER, THIS PARTICULARLY AFFECTS THE ARRANGEMENT OF ENTRANCES, EXITS, AND CHECKOUT COUNTERS. DIAGRAMS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND A SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED. (PRG)