Loss Prevention Safety
Loss prevention in retail refers to decreasing revenue losses. These losses are due to inventory mismanagement, mishandling of money, shoplifting incidents and employee theft. Some aspects of loss prevention are simply matters of reducing innocent human errors. The more unpleasant end of this, handling shoplifting incidents, can be dangerous. Following proper professional loss prevention safety procedures in the accusation and apprehension of shoplifters is crucial to the legitimization of the case and sometimes the employee's life.
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Avoid the Incident
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In retail, you never know what types of customers you will get and you must be cautious not to stereotype. If someone is dressed a certain way, you maybe inclined to watch, but you will need solid evidence to make a stop. The typical behavior of a potential shoplifter is basic. A shoplifter will usually return to the desired merchandise or the store numerous times. A shoplifter also pays as much attention to the employee as to the merchandise.
Even if you are suspicious someone is about to steal, do not be rude to the customer. It is best to avoid any unnecessary confrontation from the beginning. Sometimes persistent customer service can deter a shoplifting incident from happening, which is the safest scenario possible.
Avoid a False Arrest
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If a customer does become a shoplifter, be sure you know what specific merchandise was taken. Know where the merchandise has been concealed. Then you must incessantly watch the shoplifter to be sure he didn't change his mind and return the merchandise. Wait until the shoplifter has crossed the lease line before stopping him, or the merchandise has technically not been stolen yet.
Making false stops will cause a customer to become very angry and probably not return for future business. Furthermore, false apprehensions can quickly lead to employment termination.
For an extra safety precaution call your store or mall security to wait outside the premises until the apprehension. The more support you have in your stop the more likely the shoplifter is to cooperate.
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Making the Stop
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When you make the stop, remain calm so you do not encourage the shoplifter to run. If it is a small store, chances are she knows you are an employee. However, in larger department stores with many employees, introduce yourself as being with the company and ask her to come back inside. In most cases, the shoplifter is cooperative at this point, especially if she thinks she will be able to just return the merchandise or pay for it.
In some instances, you will have someone run. For your safety and theirs, do not chase them. You do not know if they have a weapon.Store merchandise is not worth a life. Depending on the level of what's available in your store's setup, security may be able to stop them. Many security guards are not permitted to physically force detainment. This is why it is important for you to call the police immediately after making the stop, and sometimes before.
Zero Confrontation
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A shoplifter may be a non-threatening juvenile or a drug addict. As an employee, a level of professionalism must be maintained regardless of who is stopped. Most companies require employees to fill out store paperwork in addition to the police report regarding an incident. This requires asking the shoplifter for personal information. At this point shoplifters have a tendency to either speak so it is difficult for you to hear or give you false information. It is not up to the employee to argue with the shoplifter. He will be handed over to the police. For your safety, if the shoplifter does become hostile, wait until the police arrive before any further interaction .
The No. 1 priority in loss prevention safety is for the employee to remain non-threatening so he does not provoke violence.
Loss Prevention Safety Training
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Loss prevention safety procedures are usually part of basic training for employment. Typically companies train via demonstration videos. However, numerous companies do offer other services, including conducting seminars and classes for loss prevention safety. Experts can be hired who will travel to speak to employees. These alternative tutorials can provide first-hand accounts and advice for situations when shoplifters or even a shoplifting employee has a weapon, is violent or turns and runs.
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References
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