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Date: April 29, 2024 Mon
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Results for retail theft
15 results foundAuthor: WorkSafe BC Title: Handbook for Employers: Working Alone, Late Night Retail, and Prepayment of Fuel Summary: Retail premises and gas stations can be the target of shoplifting, gas and dashes, robberies, and violence. Workers who work alone or in isolation may be particularly vulnerable to violence and other hazards in the workplace where assistance is not readily available. This handbook is designed for retail and gas station employers who do not already have adequate safe work practices to protect workers who must work alone and/or late at night. It discusses: (1) how to conduct a risk assessment; (2) how to control or minimize hazards; (3) general safe work procedures; and (4) training workers. Details: Richmond, BC, Canada: WorkSafe BC, 2008. 43p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2008 Country: Canada URL: Shelf Number: 118313 Keywords: Retail CrimeRetail TheftRobberiesWorkplace Crime |
Author: Koh, Robin Title: Prediction, Detection, and Proof: An Integrated Auto-ID Solution to Retail Theft Summary: Theft is a serious problem in North America costing retailers and manufacturers at least $25 Billion per year. For the past ten years, there has been no change in the rate of theft. This lack of improvement traces in part to current technologies that are not fully integrated. Auto-ID lays the foundation for developing applications to predict, prevent, detect and resolve theft within the supply chain; providing a comprehensive solution. Practical applications of the technology will occur within the next five years. These first steps will lead to other applications of Auto-ID including efficient transfers between companies and the reduction of diversion. Details: Cambridge, MA: Auto-ID Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2003. 18p. Source: Internet Resource: White Paper: Accessed July 21, 2011 at: http://www.autoidlabs.org/uploads/media/MIT-AUTOID-WH022.pdf Year: 2003 Country: United States URL: http://www.autoidlabs.org/uploads/media/MIT-AUTOID-WH022.pdf Shelf Number: 122132 Keywords: Crime PreventionEmployee TheftRetail CrimeRetail TheftShoplifting |
Author: ECR Europe Title: Packaging Design for Shrinkage Prevention Summary: The purpose of this report is to provide guidance on how retailers and their suppliers can work together to identify and minimise the risk of shrinkage through the better design of product packaging. The fundamental role of packaging is to deliver every product to the consumer in perfect condition at minimum cost and environmental impact. However, in order to achieve this goal, retailers and manufacturers often face competing challenges and tensions concerning the way in which products should be packaged, not least relating to the growing needs for sustainability, the differing and frequently competing demands of various parts of the supply chain as well as the need to apply product protection devices. It is estimated that shrinkage costs the industry globally as much as €174 billion1, with a further €34.8 billion being spent on trying to respond to it. In addition, the knock-on effect on out of stocks and defensive merchandising could be costing another €17 billion a year. Taken together, if the average retailer could reduce their shrinkage by just 25 per cent they could see their profits grow through reduced costs and increased sales by as much as 18 per cent. Details: Brussels: ECR Europe, 2010. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 23, 2011 at: http://ecr-all.org Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://ecr-all.org Shelf Number: 122883 Keywords: Crime PreventionDesign Against CrimeEmployee TheftRetail TheftShoplifting |
Author: ECR Europe Shrinkage Group Title: The Impact and Control of Shrinkage at Self-Scan Checkouts Summary: This study aimed to contribute to the debate concerning the potential impact self-scan checkouts may have on retail shrinkage. It adopted a multi-method approach: retailer case studies, a survey of self-scan supervisors, and interviews with self-scan technology companies, loss prevention practitioners and product protection providers. Key findings are: • Limited evidence from the retail case studies suggested that the introduction of self-scan technologies had little or no impact on levels of shrinkage. One retailer found that manned checkouts operators are three times more likely to not scan an item than a customer using self scan. • A survey of 955 self-scan supervisors did not identify widespread concerns about customers abusing this system, with the majority not having caught anybody stealing through this method nor suggesting that the non-scanning of items was widespread. • The research identified the need for retailers to create ‘zones of control’ within which self-scan checkouts operate to ensure that potential thieves perceive it to be both difficult to steal and that it was highly likely that if they did offend, they would be caught. • These zones of control should be created through careful design (where possible creating a separate self-scan space, controlling the movement of customers and limiting means of entrance and exit) and generating overt forms of surveillance (supervisors and other staff constantly being highly visible and near to customers; the use of CCTV and public view monitors and technological monitoring through till-based alerts and alarms). • Where possible one supervisor should be responsible for a maximum of four self-scan checkouts – this maximises their ability to be vigilant and to effectively respond to customer queries and system alarms and alerts. • Certain elements of self-scan systems should be reviewed, including: o the number of alerts generated compared with the ability of staff to act as ‘guardians of control’; identification of products that persistently create scanning problems for customers (barcode not reading) and ameliorative action taken (either by the retailer or through negotiation with the product manufacturer); review of location of the receipt function; improved customer notification of change, including location of scoop; review of loose item description interface; and how discount vouchers are handled and verified. • Training of self-scan supervisors is critical – they need to be aware of the importance of maintaining vigilance and keeping in close proximity to customers. They also need to be aware of all the well-known self-scan scams. • The providers of product protection equipment need to work much more closely with the manufacturers of self-scan technologies to ensure that the current problems being experienced with devices such as EAS tags (false alarms because customers are not deactivating tags consistently) can be addressed. • There is a need for further research to understand the level of losses being experienced through traditional checkouts to better understand whether the levels of loss are similar or indeed higher than those occurring through self-scan checkouts. • The emerging nature of self-scan technology and the growing public acceptance of, and familiarity with, suggests that this subject should be reviewed in years to come to see if levels of abuse are the same level. Details: Brussels: ECR Europe, 2011. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 23, 2011 at: http://ecr-all.org Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://ecr-all.org Shelf Number: 122884 Keywords: Crime PreventionDesign Against CrimeRetail TheftShoplifting |
Author: National Retail Federation Title: 2011 Organized Retail Crime Survey Summary: The National Retail Federation’s Organized Retail Crime survey, now in its seventh year, is conducted every spring to gauge the impact and severity of organized retail crime. This year’s survey collects information from a variety of retailers, ranging from restaurants to department stores to specialty retailers and grocery stores. Insights of senior retail loss prevention executives from 129 retail companies are included in this report. This year’s survey found that organized retail crime affects almost every single retailer, with 95 percent reporting they have been a victim of organized retail crime in the past 12 months, up six percent from last year. Although retailers continue to build their defenses against this growing problem, criminals are finding myriad ways to work around the system. Retailers are also reporting that the criminals they apprehend are increasingly resorting to violence, putting the safety of both associates and customers at risk. The scope of most criminal enterprises extends far beyond store limits. For the first time in the survey’s history, NRF polled retailers about this threat and found that nearly half of all respondents said they have been a victim of cargo theft within the past year. The survey found most cargo theft occurs en route from the distribution center to the store, but other points within the supply chain are just as vulnerable. This not only affects a retailer’s bottom line, it also affects what consumers end up seeing on the shelves at the store and the amount of inventory available. Crime rings throughout the country often take advantage of big cities and large highways to move their stolen merchandise and hit multiple targets. When asked where in the United States retailers have the most problems with criminal gangs and organized retail crime, cities including Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Dallas were listed. Making the list for the first time, Las Vegas and Phoenix are now among the top 10 metropolitan areas retailers say are affected, indicating criminal enterprises continue to travel the country. Many times, retailers and law enforcement officials find it difficult to track these crime gangs because they cross state lines in a matter of hours. New technologies, however, are beginning to play a vital role in tracking thefts and criminal behavior even through various states and at different retail companies. As the economy forces retail executives to pay close attention to every line item in their budgets, loss prevention executives say senior leadership is more likely to understand how organized retail crime impacts the company’s bottom line. This year’s survey found nearly six in 10 senior loss prevention executives say their senior management understands the severity of the problem, a big step up from the 39 percent reported in 2005. As a result, many companies are allocating additional resources – including more personnel and greater investment in technology – to combat the problem. Organized crime gangs who steal consumer and other valuable goods such as over-the-counter medicines, baby formula, diabetic testing strips and designer jeans, often use the façade of a local pawn shop, flea market or warehouse to hide their stolen merchandise. These criminals also pose as legitimate sellers on online auction sites, selling their stolen goods to innocent and unknowing consumers. The report found more than seven in 10 retailers identified or recovered this stolen merchandise from both physical and online fence locations. Industry partnerships with law enforcement and increased resources in personnel may have contributed to the increase in identifying these stolen goods. The increase in the number of retailers who have been victimized may have played a role as well. Retailers have spent years lobbying Congress about the need for specific organized retail crime legislation. Specific lobbying interests include stiffer penalties for criminals involved with organized retail crimes, expanding law enforcement’s ability to charge and prosecute offenders and decreasing the felony dollar amount threshold at which criminals are charged. Though retailers recently celebrated the passing of H.R. 5932, the Organized Retail Theft Investigation and Prosecution Act of 2010 in the House of Representatives, which aims to establish the Organized Retail Theft Investigation and Prosecution Unit with the Department of Justice, budget crises and several other pressing issues prevented this bill from being presented to the Senate. Several states have engaged the issue through state legislation and many have already seen success. The report outlines which states have already passed bills and those that are currently working on bills. Through various platforms, retailers are able to communicate and network with industry peers about the challenges organized retail crime presents for their business and how to combat the multi-billion dollar problem. These platforms include national committees, local intelligence sharing groups, partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement, and relationships with lawmakers. Together, retailers and law enforcement officials are making great strides in uncovering the criminal enterprises that exist throughout the country. These collaborations have resulted in many successful federal indictments and the breakup of large crime rings, which operated for years behind physical and online fence operations. From government affairs and strategic partnerships to grassroots initiatives, retailers have been very resourceful in finding ways to confront the issue. Efforts to pass federal legislation persist and work continues behind the scenes as executives from different companies come together to shed light on this growing problem. Details: Washington, DC: National Retail Federation, 2011. 23p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 15, 2012 at http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=Documents&op=viewlive&sp_id=6549 Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.nrf.com/modules.php?name=Documents&op=viewlive&sp_id=6549 Shelf Number: 124977 Keywords: Costs of CrimeOrganized CrimeRetail TheftVictimization Survey |
Author: Finklea, Kristin Title: Organized Retail Crime Summary: Organized retail crime (ORC) involves the large-scale theft of everyday consumer items and potentially has much broader implications. Organized groups of professional shoplifters, or “boosters,” steal or fraudulently obtain merchandise that is then sold, or “fenced,” to individuals and retailers through a variety of venues. In an increasingly globalized society, more and more transactions take place online rather than face-to-face. As such, in addition to relying on physical resale markets, organized retail thieves have turned to online marketplaces as means to fence their ill-gotten goods. ORC exposes the United States to costs and harms in the economic, public health, and domestic security arenas. The exact loss from ORC to the retail industry is unknown, but estimates have ranged from $15 billion to $37 billion annually. The economic impact, however, extends beyond the manufacturing and retail industry and includes costs incurred by consumers and taxes lost by the states. The theft and resale of stolen consumable or health and beauty products such as infant formula (that may have been repackaged, relabeled, and subjected to altered expiration dates) poses potential safety concerns for individuals purchasing such goods from ORC fences. In addition, some industry experts and policy makers have expressed concern about the possibility that proceeds from ORC may be used to fund terrorist activities. Current efforts to combat ORC largely come from retailers, online marketplaces, and law enforcement alike. Retailers responding to the 2010 National Retail Security Survey spent an average of 0.46% of their annual sales on loss prevention measures. These loss prevention costs are ultimately borne by consumers in the form of higher prices on goods. Also, online marketplaces report taking various measures to combat the sale of stolen and fraudulently obtained goods on their websites, including educating sellers and consumers, monitoring suspicious activity, and partnering with retailers and law enforcement. Combating retail theft has traditionally been handled by state law enforcement under state criminal laws. Some, however, have begun to question whether state laws—which vary in the quantity of monetary losses that constitute major theft—are adequate to combat ORC. While many agree that ORC is a national problem, there is debate over the federal government’s role in deterring ORC and sanctioning various actors that may be involved in committing or aiding these crimes. One policy issue facing Congress is whether criminalizing organized retail crime in the U.S. Code would allow for more effective investigation and prosecution of these criminals. Congress may also wish to consider whether regulating resale marketplaces (online markets, in particular), to require such entities to increase information sharing with retailers and law enforcement, would strengthen investigations and prosecutions of ORC as well as decrease the prevalence of retail thieves relying on legitimate online marketplaces to fence stolen goods. Details: Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service, 2012. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: CRS Report R41118: Accessed January 29, 2013 at: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41118.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41118.pdf Shelf Number: 127431 Keywords: Crimes Against BusinessesFencing Stolen GoodsHot ProductsOrganized Crime (U.S.)Organized Retail CrimeRetail TheftShopliftingStolen Goods |
Author: Bamfield, Joshua Title: Changing Retail, Changing Loss Prevention Summary: At one time, protecting a retail corporation's assets was a role seen primarily as a policing one and retailers employed personnel (often with a police or military background) to carry out this task. The main role was to apprehend thieves stealing from the organisation and to prevention violent crime. The expectation was that this role was to be carried out mostly by arresting malefactors and handing them to the police. The value of retail security was often judged in terms of the numbers of arrests made and the efficiency of individual loss prevention officers would frequently be measured in terms of whether they had achieved their target number of arrests. Starting with the U.S. the 'retail security' (ie policing) model of loss prevention has been increasingly disparaged. The role of loss prevention, as its name suggests, has been to minimise retail loss rather than arresting large numbers of people. Loss prevention has been seen as being more concerned with financial and operational performance capable of reducing or preventing losses of all kinds. Specialist skills of investigation and arresting thieves without creating civil liability are of course essential to loss prevention work, but they only form part of what is required. The emphasis increasingly has been upon the prevention and deterrence of offending, and much less upon apprehending as many thieves as is practicable. Indeed, at its best, a good loss prevention department might have no arrests at all if its prevention work is of a very high order, although in practical terms this is highly unlikely. Apprehending thieves, processing them and handing them to the police (inevitably involving some court appearances) is extremely expensive and often costs more than the merchandise recovered when a thief is caught. Loss prevention specialists certainly patrol the stores and investigate suspicious employee behaviour, but loss prevention also includes preparing improved procedures, ensuring greater conformity with company loss prevention policy, training staff to be more aware of potential loss, analysing loss and working with other departments to mitigate actual or potential losses caused by error or procedural failures (as well as loss caused by crime), and helping to develop new policies needed for the changing pattern of retail losses, such as online losses or losses caused by the growing problem of refund/returns fraud. Details: Newark, Nottinghamshire, UK: Centre for Retail Research, 2013. 16p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 20, 2015 at: http://all-tag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/GRTB_Changing_Retail_Changing_Loss_Prevention_2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://all-tag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/GRTB_Changing_Retail_Changing_Loss_Prevention_2013.pdf Shelf Number: 135305 Keywords: Crime Against BusinessesCrime PreventionEmployee TheftLoss PreventionRetail SecurityRetail TheftShoplifting |
Author: Speights, David Title: Reducing Organized Retail Crime with Return Authorization and Consumer Linking Summary: Organized retail crime, or ORC, is a large, dangerous and expensive threat to businesses nationwidecosting retailers over $30 billion every year. Even worse, the lackluster economy continues to spur the trend, driving thieves to become more aggressive. The National Retail Federations Organized Retail Crime Surveys routinely find that approximately 95 percent of retail companies are victims of organized crime activity. And, according to RILA reports, the merchandise stolen is often returned to the store for cashor sold to unwitting buyers in person or through Internet auction sites. To date, these organized retail criminals have typically been nameless, faceless individuals with no predictable pattern to their fraud. Some retailers have tried to link the offenders by reviewing incident reports or comparing security tapes, while others have made painstaking efforts to train employees on how to recognize behaviors associated with illegal consumer activity. Nevertheless, the individual crimes have remained difficult to connect because of their sheer size and scope, and the complexity of the data that could potentially link the individuals. Details: Irvine, CA: The Retail Equation, 2014. 5p. Source: Internet Resource: White Paper: Accessed March 14, 2016 at: http://www.theretailequation.com/retailers/WhitePapers Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.theretailequation.com/retailers/WhitePapers Shelf Number: 138211 Keywords: Fraud Organized Crime Organized Retail Crime Retail Theft |
Author: Gill, Martin Title: Retail Loss Prevention in Perspective Summary: There is a new report out today which provides a view of the state of loss prevention from those who are in charge of it. Leading loss prevention managers have contributed to this report. It shows that while organised crime is perceived to be a more significant problem now than in the past, the aggravating factor appears to be a strong view that the police are ever more neglectful of retailers. This problem is stoked by other trends such as a tendency to have fewer staff available on the shop floor (and thus less oversight of it); the speed with which retailers make moves in the market to gain a competitive edge without the time to assess the loss/security implications; and the growing practice of opening stores in difficult geographical areas. Against this background, margins in retailing were generally seen to be tight and it was becoming increasingly more difficult to get support for spending on loss prevention measures, although there were some notable successes. Those interviewed generally (but not exclusively) felt they were doing a good job although for most there was room for improvement. Most felt they were supported by the Board but again there was often room for improvement here, and part of the difficulty was that loss prevention was typically distanced from the Board. Moreover, while most were judged at least in part (although often in large part) on loss figures it was noted that this was not something over which they had complete control. Resources were seen as tight and this was sometimes a limitation interviewees said they had to work within. It was seen as difficult to compare performance because figures on shrink were deemed unreliable; it certainly complicated comparisons. Some retailers are moving to 'Total Loss', and this is creating a slight change in focus. Guards were seen to have a use in responding to problems and in providing a visible deterrent but some pointed to lower losses even when guards were taken out of stores. Likewise CCTV was sometimes seen as an essential part of a strategy but others pointed to out of date technology and cameras not being used to their full potential even when present. EAS was sometimes seen as effective against opportunists in particular but also as a poor relation to RFID although for the most part the jury was out on this when assessed in terms of theft prevention rather than stock management. In short, all security measures were seen as good by some and not by others. That said, the favoured crime prevention tool was most often staff; offering both a visible presence and an opportunity to prevent thefts and intervene when necessary. Going forward there is likely to be a greater use of data and linking different databases to inform loss prevention approaches. There were mixed views of both civil recovery schemes and the usefulness of crime partnerships. It was not so much that when done well they were not both praised, they were. Rather it was the case that often practice did not match the potential to influence loss reduction. This was the cause of some anxiety and highlights areas where there are opportunities for improvement. Those working in loss prevention claimed to generate ideas and insights from each other, and there was willingness to work with others potentially pooling resources where appropriate, to improve the loss prevention lot. While some lamented that loss prevention has not raised its game sufficiently others saw potential via greater use of data and intelligence, better use of technologies, more effective engagement from front line staff and via - in certain circumstances - sharing resources to increase their future impact. Details: Tunbridge Wells, UK: Perpetuity Research & Consultancy International, 2016. 45p. Source: Available at the Rutgers Criminal Justice Library Year: 2016 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 145577 Keywords: Crime PreventionCrimes Against BusinessesLoss PreventionOrganized CrimeRetail TheftShoplifting |
Author: Euromonitor International, Title: The Global Retail Theft Barometer 2012-2013 Summary: Objective The objective of this report is to understand the rate of shrinkage in 16 countries, as well as the leading causes and methods of prevention. Two main data points are provided: - Average rate of shrinkage (in % terms) for retailing as a whole for each of the 16 countries. - Reasons for shrink: % share of shoplifting, employee theft, vendor or supplier fraud and administrative and non-crime losses of total shrink in each country. In addition to the aforementioned data points, insights per country include qualitative analysis on best methods of loss prevention, most stolen items and impact of shrinkage/loss on retailers in the country. Methodology Euromonitor International conducted in-depth trade interviews with Loss Prevention managers of leading retailers in each of the 16 countries, covering a questionnaire focussing on the aforementioned data and qualitative points (e.g. providing an estimate of total national shrinkage losses). The retailers were chosen based on their rank within the Passport retailing database (Euromonitor International's syndicated database), aiming to cover companies within the top 15 retailers where possible, in order to discuss shrinkage on a national level. Furthermore, Euromonitor International conducted an online survey of retailers across the researched countries, and responses were leveraged for further insights. Where available, completed questionnaires from the survey were used to supplement the information from the trade interviews, in order create country shrinkage estimates for each market. A total of 157 companies in 16 countries were interviewed and surveyed for this study. These companies generated approximately 18% (US$1,500 billion USD) in 2012 of total retail value sales in the 16 countries combined. Euromonitor's team of researchers and consultants analysed the quantitative and qualitative information achieved through the methodology ultimately selected in order to understand 2012 trends in shrinkage and loss prevention in the selected geography/ scope. Reported Data - All results are reported on a national basis. - All shrinkage figures in this report are based on average selling (retail) prices. - Values in the report are given in US Dollars. Retail Industry Overview The qualitative and quantitative analysis in the country report sections "Industry Overview" are drawn from Passport, Euromonitor International`s syndicated research database, which is updated annually across 80 different countries. Details: Thorofare, NJ: Checkpoint Systems, 2013. 148p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 11, 2016 at: http://www.odesus.gr/images/nea/eidhseis/2013/GRTB-2012-13-Eng.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.odesus.gr/images/nea/eidhseis/2013/GRTB-2012-13-Eng.pdf Shelf Number: 140659 Keywords: Loss PreventionRetail TheftShopliftingShrinkage |
Author: Dario, Lisa M. Title: Crime at Convenience Stores: Assessing an In-Depth Problem-Oriented Policing Initiative Summary: Problem-oriented policing (POP) dynamically addresses unique community issues in a way that allows police departments to be cost-effective and efficient. POP draws upon routine activities and rational choice theories, at times incorporating elements of crime prevention through environmental design. A recent systematic review found POP to be hugely popular, but not rigorously assessed or implemented. In 2009, the Glendale, Arizona Police Department and researchers from Arizona State University received funding through the Bureau of Justice Assistance's (BJA) Smart Policing Initiative (SPI) to target crime at convenience stores through a problem-oriented policing approach. The Glendale SPI team devised an approach that mirrored the ideals put forth by Goldstein (1990), and provided a thorough undertaking of the SARA model. A comprehensive response plan was developed with several proposed responses, including: intervention with Circle K leadership, suppression, and prevention at the six highest-activity stores. Despite a thorough POP implementation, the initial descriptive evaluation of the Glendale SPI reported positive effects on crime, but left questions about the intervention's long-term impact on convenience store crime in Glendale, Arizona. The policy and theoretical influence of the initiative warrants a more rigorous evaluation. Supplanting the original assessment, a difference in difference model, negative binomial regression, and relative effect size are calculated to ascertain the SPI's long-term effects on target and comparison stores. Phi and weighted displacement quotient are calculated to determine the existence of displacement of crime or diffusion of benefits. Overall, results indicate support for the project's effectiveness on crime reduction. Further, none of the six intervention stores experienced crime displacement. Five of the six stores, however, experienced a diffusion of benefits in the surrounding 500-yard area; that is, a crime reduction was observed at the intervention stores and in the surrounding areas of five of these stores. Disorder and property crimes at the targeted stores were most affected by the intervention. One of the intervention stores did experience an increase in violent crime, however. Future studies should strengthen the methodological design when evaluating POP projects and seek to flesh out more precisely the crime control effects of unique problem-oriented strategies. Details: Tempe, AZ: Arizona State University, 2016. 158p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed November 1, 2016 at: https://repository.asu.edu/attachments/170676/content/Dario_asu_0010E_16050.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: https://repository.asu.edu/attachments/170676/content/Dario_asu_0010E_16050.pdf Shelf Number: 145774 Keywords: CPTEDCrime PreventionDesign Against CrimeProblem-Oriented PolicingRetail TheftShoplifting |
Author: Euromonitor International, Title: The Global Retail Theft Barometer: 2014-2015 Summary: The GRTB "Global Retail Theft Barometer" is a study on the cost of shrinkage for the global retail industry. Apart from providing shrinkage trends at the global and regional levels, this year's report also provides country level trends for 11 select countries, out of the 24 countries covered in the research. The objective of this report is to understand shrinkage rates in four key regions, covering 24 countries, as well as the reasons for shrinkage and steps taken to prevent such loss. Key data points provided are as follows: - Average rate of shrinkage (in percentage terms) for the retail industry - Reasons for shrinkage: % internal theft, external theft, vendor theft, and administrative factors - Popular loss prevention solutions Qualitative insights into reasons for shrinkage, adoption of loss prevention solutions and approach towards loss prevention have also been provided. Prepared by The Smart Cube (TSC), presented with Ernie Deyle, and funded by an independent grant from Checkpoint Systems, Inc., the report is the world's most comprehensive survey of retail crime and loss. All figures in the report relate to the twelve months, ending December 2014. Details: Thorofare, NJ: Checkpoint Systems, 2015. 135p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 14, 2016 at: http://www.odesus.gr/images/nea/eidhseis/2015/3.Global-Retail-Theft-Barometer-2015/GRTB%202015_web.pdf Year: 2015 Country: International URL: http://www.odesus.gr/images/nea/eidhseis/2015/3.Global-Retail-Theft-Barometer-2015/GRTB%202015_web.pdf Shelf Number: 146673 Keywords: Loss Prevention Retail Theft Shoplifting Shrinkage |
Author: Holdaway, Simon Title: Prolific Shoplifters in Nottinghamshire Summary: - Data about sixty-three prolific shoplifters offending in Nottinghamshire between July 2012-July 2013 have been analysed. The extent of their crime requires special consideration and a prevention strategy related to along with measures to address other types of shoplifters and their offences. - The research literature about shoplifting is meagre. None of it deals with persistent shoplifters. One important study, however, reminds us that the effectiveness of security personnel seems to be limited. Crime prevention measures, including the use of drug and alcohol rehabilitation programmes, are probably of more importance. - 52 (82.5%) of the prolific offenders were male. 11 (17.5%) were female. - 40 (63%) of the offenders were between 28 and 46 years of age. This is the typical age-range for all offenders. - Almost all offenders were white Europeans (56 of 63). 5 of the 56 were from Eastern Europe. 7 were recorded as Black - About 80% (50) of them were unemployed during the research period. Just 3 of the 63 offenders (4.8%) were employed. - Most offenders (39) lived in The City Central, North and South areas and it seems they moved to and from premises frequently. One offender lived outside Nottinghamshire. - Before the research year, 89% (56 of 63) of the offenders committed individually between 26 and 50 shoplifting offences. 10 committed individually between 11 and 25 offences and 13 committed individually over 51 offences. - Between July 2012-July 2013, 7 offenders each committed over 10 shoplifting offences, 6 each committed just fewer than 10. 9 offenders each committed 8 offences. The 41 other offenders continued to commit theft from shops during this period. - During the research period, the 63 offenders stole 1510 items whilst committing 541 separate offences of shoplifting - The most frequently stolen goods were food and alcohol, followed by personal hygiene products, clothing and chocolate. The point is somewhat speculative but it seems the goods were for personal use as well as for sale in illegal markets, the size of which may well have expanded during recent years. - The gross value of 40% of goods stolen was over $50. However, this is not an indication of the cost of dealing with the prolific offenders. The costs of deploying shop, police officer, administrative staff and many other factors have to be calculated. - 50 of the 63 offenders have been supervised within a programme of integrated offender management. This included tagging, other management tactics and work with drug and alcohol rehabilitation agencies. - Officers have assessed a very significant majority of the group, 60, as misusing drugs and alcohol. Their offences sustain their drug and, or alcohol dependency. - Drugs and alcohol rehabilitation programmes are clearly within a broad definition of policing and crime prevention. The majority of the prolific offenders had been assessed by police officers as having drug and, or alcohol problems. During the research year, however, just 16 drug and 2 alcohol rehabilitation orders were aspects of 541 sentences delivered by courts. - An officer working in Nottinghamshire Police Integrated Offender Management team developed an innovative project (Operation Dormouse) to address the problem of prolific shoplifting in the city area. The co-location of police and alcohol, drugs and other personnel was central to this work. Extensive data were shared between all agencies involved. The commitment of retail managers and their security staff was vital. Local policing teams were also engaged. A close partnership between the police and staff from other agencies was therefore central to the work undertaken. - 37% (167) of the 232 cases for which sentencing data were available involved imprisonment, with an average sentence of 55 days. 28 days was the median length of sentence, the middle number of all sentence lengths. Many sentences were far shorter than 28 days. - 97% of the 232 offenders for which sentencing records were available were arrested for 7 or 8 further offences from 2 to 5 months and onwards after their first arrest during the research year. - A long term strategy to address shoplifting in Nottinghamshire, including offences by prolific offenders, is required. It should be developed on the basis of documented outcomes from Operation Dormouse and further systematic analysis of all relevant data. The approach to prolific offenders taken so far has led to reductions in offending but the extent to which such intense, closely coordinated work can be sustained, not least within the context of budget reductions, is a moot question for consideration. - Whatever the approach taken retail firms can be expected to play a greater role in the introduction of security measures to prevent shoplifting. Householders routinely purchase equipment to protect their property. This should also apply to measures such as tagging for retail firms. Details: Unpublished report, 2014. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 25, 2017 at: library.college.police.uk Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: library.college.police.uk Shelf Number: 145795 Keywords: Property TheftRetail TheftShopliftersShopliftingStolen Goods |
Author: Sidebottom, Aiden Title: A Systematic Review of Tagging as a Method to Reduce Theft in Retail Environments Summary: Retailers routinely use security tags as a form of situational measure to reduce theft. Guided by the acronym EMMIE, this paper set out to 1) examine the evidence that tags are Effective at reducing theft, 2) identify the Mechanisms through which tags are expected to reduce theft and the conditions that Moderate tag effectiveness, and 3) summarise information relevant to the Implementation and Economic costs of tagging. Following a systematic search of the published and unpublished literature, and through consultation with four retailers, we identified fifty studies that met our inclusion criteria. Eight studies reporting quantitative data were assessed in relation to the effectiveness of tags, but heterogeneity in the type of tag and the reported outcome measures precluded a meta-analysis. Based on the available evidence it is difficult to determine the effectiveness of tags as a theft reduction measure, albeit there is suggestive evidence that more visible tags outperform less visible tags. The three identified mechanisms through which tags might plausibly reduce theft - increase the risks, reduce the rewards, increase the effort - were found to vary by tag type, and their activation dependent on five broad categories of moderator: retail store and staff, customers (including shoplifters), tag type, product type, and the involvement of the police and wider criminal justice system. Implementation challenges related to staffing issues and tagging strategy. Finally, although estimates are available on the costs of product tagging, our literature searches identified no high-quality published economic evaluations of tagging. The implications of our findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.. Details: London: What Works Centre for Crime Reduction, University College London, 2017. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: What Works Crime Reduction systematic Review Series: Accessed July 29, 2017 at: http://library.college.police.uk/docs/college-of-policing/Retail-tagging-SR-2017.pdf Year: 2017 Country: International URL: http://library.college.police.uk/docs/college-of-policing/Retail-tagging-SR-2017.pdf Shelf Number: 146615 Keywords: Loss PreventionProduct TaggingRetail TheftShopliftingShrinkageSituational Crime Prevention |
Author: Retail BC Title: Preventing Violence, Robbery, and Theft: A Guide for Retail Owners, Managers, and Workers Summary: This book describes key risks and how to prevent violent incidents in the workplace. It addresses issues such as shoplifting, robbery, and abusive customers. It also includes information on what to do if an incident occurs in your workplace. The book contains numerous forms, including a suspect and vehicle identification sheet, a safety and security checklist, and an incident investigation report. Details: Vancouver, BC, Canada: Retail BC, Retail Council of Canada, WorkSafe BC, 2012. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 30, 2019 at: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/books-guides/preventing-violence-robbery-and-theft Year: 2012 Country: Canada URL: https://www.worksafebc.com/en/resources/health-safety/books-guides/preventing-violence-robbery-and-theft Shelf Number: 156086 Keywords: Crimes Against BusinessesRetail TheftRetail WorkersRobberyShopliftingStealing |