Is Retail Loss Prevention better than cure.
These tough economic times continue hitting retailers among the hardest of businesses, forcing smaller and some large name brands to close within high streets. Theft/shoplifting or shrinkage is impacting on these stores figures, profits and losses. Losses can be reduced by either prevention or cure.
Prevention - training staff to identify potentially suspicious customers through staff training and deterring suspicious customers and potential shoplifters is more cost effective than the cure. CCTV, EAS (Electronical Article Surveillance) systems and security officers sometimes deter shoplifters, but due to the cost are usually limited to larger retail chains and stores
Cure - identifying and detaining the shoplifter, informing and waiting for the police to attend. Reviewing CCTV and providing a statement to the police. Attending court if a PND is not issued. The cost of the cure usually outweighs the cost of prevention.
Statistics compiled by the BRC (British Retail Consortium) indicate that in 2010 - 2011 the average shoplifting spree cost retailers an average of £85.00 per incident and internal theft £342.00 per incident. Whatever your thoughts on prevention or cure, something needs to be done to increase profits by reducing losses.
31 July 2012
28 July 2012
The importance of staff Retail Security Training
Brand and image are important and impact on customer loyalty that effects footfall, failure to maintain the brand can lead to a reduction in sales. Many retailers spend large amounts on marketing the brand to increase sales. Negative advertising of the brand is detrimental to sales.
A regular customer upon leaving Superdrug was stopped by police after being accused by staff within the store of stealing jewellery. After police checked the CCTV it became apparent that the customer had not stolen any products. Customer slams Superdrug over false shoplifting allegation
From reading the article it appears obvious that staff did not follow the ASCONES procedure and jumped to a conclusion without any facts. This could of occurred for several reasons. The staff have not been trained in retail security or ASCONES. The staff have not received regular refresher training, or the staff were unaware of the policies and procedures relating to suspected theft.
It is easy to criticise the staff after the incident occurred and from the office stating what they have done wrong. Rather than criticise the staff lets look on the positive side and how we can move forward. Rather than let the suspect get away, the staff acted, with hindsight it would of been better if the suspect customer had not been stopped at all. This comes down to training and giving the staff the knowledge to make informed decisions on when to stop and when not to stop suspicious customers.
ASCONIA Retail Security Consultancy provide retail security training to staff, managers and security officers across the UK, that ensures that staff understand retail crime and how to detect and reduce the negative effects it has on your store. Increase your stores profits by reducing your losses. Contact info@asconia.co.uk for more information.
A regular customer upon leaving Superdrug was stopped by police after being accused by staff within the store of stealing jewellery. After police checked the CCTV it became apparent that the customer had not stolen any products. Customer slams Superdrug over false shoplifting allegation
From reading the article it appears obvious that staff did not follow the ASCONES procedure and jumped to a conclusion without any facts. This could of occurred for several reasons. The staff have not been trained in retail security or ASCONES. The staff have not received regular refresher training, or the staff were unaware of the policies and procedures relating to suspected theft.
It is easy to criticise the staff after the incident occurred and from the office stating what they have done wrong. Rather than criticise the staff lets look on the positive side and how we can move forward. Rather than let the suspect get away, the staff acted, with hindsight it would of been better if the suspect customer had not been stopped at all. This comes down to training and giving the staff the knowledge to make informed decisions on when to stop and when not to stop suspicious customers.
ASCONIA Retail Security Consultancy provide retail security training to staff, managers and security officers across the UK, that ensures that staff understand retail crime and how to detect and reduce the negative effects it has on your store. Increase your stores profits by reducing your losses. Contact info@asconia.co.uk for more information.
Main reasons for loss in a small business
Lack of or non-compliance to policies and procedures are the main reasons for loss in a small business environment. The
size, industry or type of retailer does not mean that losses do not
occur. Small businesses are certainly not immune to theft and are often viewed as an easier target.
All businesses should have a loss prevention culture. All
associates within the store should have an understanding of how
loss occurs and the methods of preventing loss from occurring.
ASCONIA Retail Security Consultancy Loss Prevention Audits can provide you with the tools to develop a
culture of loss prevention within your store. As your business grows, so can our solutions
to fit your needs. We can help you increase your profits by reducing your losses.
25 July 2012
Retail Security staff training
Bad customer service puts off customers and encourages shoplifting. Many retailers provide customer service training to staff, how many provide retail security training? Good customer service increases sales and with retail security training can decrease losses. Training staff in retail security is cost efficient and often cheaper than other crime reduction initiatives.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)